Okey Bakassi, otherwise known as Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, born on October 3, 1969, is a renowned Nigerian comedian and actor hailing from Imo State. His exceptional talent was recognized in 2014 when he clinched the prestigious “Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)” award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his outstanding portrayal in the film Onye Ozi.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule |
| Date Of Birth: | October 3, 1969 |
| Place Of Birth: | Mbaise, Imo State, Nigerian |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Spouse: | Ezinne Onyegbule |
| Occupation(s): | Actor, Comedian |
| Net Worth: | $1.5 million |
Early Life And Education
Born and raised in Mbaise, a quaint village in Imo State, Okey’s formative years were spent in Owerri, where he completed his primary education at the Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School and attained his First School Leaving Certificate.
Following this, he enrolled briefly at Mbaise Secondary School in Imo State before transferring to Federal Government College, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, culminating in the acquisition of his West African Senior School Certificate.
Subsequently, Okey pursued higher education at Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1992.
His academic journey then led him to Lagos State for the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Program.
Career
Okey’s acting career started he crossed paths with renowned movie producer and director Zeb Ejiro. This fortuitous encounter led to Okey’s debut on network television in the series “Fortunes,” where he portrayed the character of “Nick,” one of the Johnson’s bodyguards.
His stint on “Fortunes” spanned eleven episodes before the emergence of Nollywood captured the spotlight.
Drawing from his rich background in acting and comedy, Okey seamlessly transitioned his career towards entertainment.
A seasoned performer, he has graced numerous international comedy stages both locally and overseas, in addition to starring in various Nollywood productions.
His talent was duly recognized when he clinched the title of Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) at the 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards for his outstanding performance in the movie “Onye Ozi”.
Okey Bakassi is deeply entrenched in the comedy scene, having graced numerous stages across Nigeria with his hilarious performances, earning himself the moniker of a stand-up comedy maestro.
Back in 1995, Okey joined forces with Opa Williams and veteran Nollywood actress Reginald Ebere to brainstorm ways to elevate the entertainment industry, with a specific focus on propelling stand-up comedy to new heights.
This collaborative effort birthed the immensely popular “Night of a Thousand Laughs,” a recurring stand-up comedy extravaganza that captivated audiences in various Nigerian cities.
At present, Okey Bakassi is known for hosting the lively comedy program “It’s Okay with Okey” on Lagos Talks 91.3fm, where he shares the limelight with fellow comedians like Acapella, Senator Comedian, and Dan de Humorous.
Furthermore, he takes the helm on the television program “The Other News” airing on Channels TV. Notably, in April 2018, Okey celebrated an impressive milestone – a remarkable 25 years of making people laugh in the comedy industry.
Personal Life
Okey Bakassi is a married man, having shared a marital bond with his wife, Ezinne, for over ten years.
Together, they are proud parents to three children—a son and two daughters. The family currently lives in Canada, where Ezinne completed her education and now holds a job.
Okey Bakassi Net Worth
Okey Bakassi’s successful career in comedy and entertainment has led to a commendable net worth of $1.5 million. His endeavors in stand-up comedy, acting, and television hosting have not only brought laughter and joy to audiences but have also contributed significantly to his financial success.
Okey Bakassi Movies
Here are some of the movies that Okey Bakassi has starred in:
- Fools On The run 2 (2007)
- How Far 2 (2017)
- Husband My Foot (2008)
- Onue Ozi (2013)
- Brothers (2015)
- Love Is In The Hair (2016)
- Madam President (2017)
- My Flatmates (TV Series) (2017)
- Price Of Deceit (2017)
- Bank Alert (2023)
