I’m not a gigolo in real life — Motolani Odobodobo

Content creator and actor, Tolani Dada, popularly known as Motolani Odobodobo, has opened up about the misconceptions surrounding his skits and online persona.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, he noted that some viewers often blur the line between his characters and his real life.

“Some people assume the character reflects my real lifestyle. They think I’m actually a sugar boy in real life. But that’s just part of creating a strong, believable character,” he said.

He added that he remains focused on the positive reception his work receives. “I don’t let it distract me; I focus on the positive feedback, which is much stronger. At the same time, I understand that not everyone will relate to my style, so I stay true to my brand while still being mindful of my audience.”

Reflecting on his journey into content creation, Odobodobo said his passion for entertaining people dates back to his early years.

“My inspiration goes way back to my school days. I’ve always loved making people laugh. I was that guy cracking jokes at shows and being naturally dramatic. Even at home, among my siblings, I am the most dramatic, so it’s always been part of me,” he said.

He revealed that he began with church drama before transitioning into street content in search of greater creative freedom.

“I started off in church drama, but at some point, I felt I needed more freedom to express my creativity. That’s when I moved into street content. At the time, I didn’t have enough cast members to create skits, so I started doing funny vox pops and interviews because they required fewer people,” he explained.

According to him, the early days were modest, often involving just one friend behind the camera.

According to him, his breakthrough came after consistent posting, which eventually attracted the attention of major social media platforms and industry figures.

“After many posts, platforms such as Tunde Ednut, Gossipmill, KraksTV, YabaLeft, and NaijaEverything, as well as actresses like Sotayo Gaga and Regina Chukwu, started reposting my vox pop videos, which gave me visibility,” he said.

Speaking on his long-term ambitions, Odobodobo emphasised his commitment to both skit-making and acting, particularly within Nollywood.

“I’m an actor as well, and I’m a product of Itele D’Icon. I had the opportunity to connect with him through Kemity, which really helped shape my journey. Right now, I am fully stepping into Nollywood because I want to grow and expand my craft,” he said.