By Damilola Fatunmise
Florence Taiwo Eniola Ajao is an actress and film producer who has become a prominent figure in Nollywood. She is also a frequent collaborator in the projects of Odunlade Adekola, a respected actor.
Beyond her acting career, she is a mother to a young man and has an impressive portfolio of over 10 home movie productions. Following the success of “Ajakaju,” Ajao has now produced another cinematic venture, “Owambe Thieves.”
In a revealing interview on the YouTube series “Talk To B,” Ajao shares insights into her professional journey, addresses Internet controversies, reflects on her experiences as a young mother, and discusses other aspects of her life and career.
Please give us your off-screen snapshot.
I am from Epe in Lagos State and the last of six children of our parents. I started my education at St. Michael Primary School and later proceeded to Army Secondary School, Epe.
How was growing up for you?
I will say it wasn’t that rosy, but at the same time, it wasn’t bad as well. I come from an average family. My dad was a school principal, while my mum was a trader. Both are now late. I lost my mum when I was eight years old and my dad too in 2010. It was very tough, but with the support of my mum’s elder sister, we pulled through.
You being a twin is a great one because you have someone in the journey of life. Would you say it made it easier or otherwise?
Not really, because I had a child in my early 20s. I don’t like talking about it but it is what it is. However, my twin and I did not stay together while growing up. She was staying with my mum’s elder sister in Ibadan, while I was with my mum’s younger brother here in Lagos. With time, we came to live together until she got married and left. That is why we are kind of not too similar in some ways.
Why did you keep your son away from the public?
My parents were very sensitive in a way that ladies of my age were not allowed to know certain things. Having a baby at age 20 for me was a lot of drama that made me feel that the whole world was against me. Society will make you feel that committing suicide is the best option, or if you make it known to the public that you gave birth at an early age, you might not get to marry again. Not that it was a thing of shame, but back then, it was oh. Omotola got married at the age of 18 and the like, but where I came from, they want you to finish school and do certain things before you can say you want to start having children. Even though I was already in YABATECH when it happened it was a big deal. The stigmatization of people calling you a Baby Mama can be very traumatic. I had to just keep it quiet; only the people close to me, like family members, knew about it.
So, what now prompted you to reveal him to the world?
I wanted to reveal him when he was 18 years old, but later decided to wait until his 20th birthday, which I did because I knew he would have been able to know right from wrong. He’s well aware of who his mum is, how to handle the pressure out there and be of good manners. That’s fine.
How easy was it for you to raise such a calm, well-mannered young man?
I didn’t raise him alone; my twin sister played a huge role and his dad’s mum did too. You know, I never had a mum who could do that for me, so his paternal grandmother did, and I later took him with me when he was five years old.
How do you feel now that the world can identify him as your child?
Well, it’s been good, very good. When we were creating content for “ Ajakaju” he was busy with his exams, so he couldn’t participate fully, but now he’s a graduate. He is now at home with me, supporting me in all forms and promoting “Owambe thieves” with me, and I can say he’s really helpful.
Let’s talk about your new movie “Owambe Thieves.” What really inspired it?
After the success of “Ajakaju” I wanted to do another epic movie. But when I realized we had a lot of epic movies already out there, I had to sit back and think of what else I could do differently for my fans. “Owambe thieves” is deeper than what the title implies. You will understand this after watching it. It’s a deep story about family, love and tribes. It’s a movie that supports the unity of our nation and lots more. People should please go out to see it.
So far, this is your second cinema project. Would you say all the stress involved is worth the money that comes afterwards?
It isn’t worth it at all. The noise is just too much to amount to what is coming back to the producer. I’m not talking about Netflix or Prime; I’m talking about cinema. Although it will give you fame and recognition that huge money is not there at all.
So let’s say you make N100 million now, how much is going back to the producer?
Let’s say like N10 million. Yes, that’s how bad it is because the cinema will take their share; Lagos State or any state you are accountable to will take their taxes, too.
So, are you telling me that with almost N255 million you made from “Ajakaju” you don’t even have up to 50 million of your own?
Yes, that’s it.
You have produced a lot of movies on YouTube and even home videos. What would you say prompted you to do a cinema movie?
I think it was when Brother Femi did the “Ageshinkole” epic movie. I have always wanted to do epic movies, but moderately. I even contacted Bro Bayo Tijani then. You know when God wants to do something for you, He will just make a way! I could remember well that when I wanted to do that movie, I couldn’t even afford N150,000 to give Bro Bayo, not even N100,000. I am talking about some eight years back but as God will have it, after seeing “Ageshinkole”, I said to myself, this is good and I must push mine too. I do not have much money at hand, but I have things I can sell to raise money for the project, and I don’t want to borrow money. I had to sell my two cars, I sold my land, and even some of my gold jewellery went down for that project. I didn’t tell anyone to avoid discouragement. After selling everything, I called Brother Bayo Tijani, Brother Odun and Sodiq so that I was ready, and they wrote the story, and we did it. It wasn’t well planned like I planned “Owambe Thieves”, though, And this will be a better success.
What are some of the good sides of social media?
Social media has separated a lot of beautiful relationships and taken lives, but in all, it’s still a good space for those who are utilizing it well. I would say people should tread carefully. Don’t believe or judge based on what you see or hear on social media space. You don’t even know what people are going through in their closet. Your hurtful comments can lead to depression or untimely death for some people. We are not wired the same way. Please let’s be sensitive.
What is the response of people towards “Owambe Thieves” like?
It’s been awesome. People have been trooping out to see it but there was a little distraction from JP2025. It got the world standing still, so it kind of affected it a little but we braced up again. You know, during “Ajakaju”, there were not many movies in the cinema, but now I think we have over six good movies showing now, so it’s very crazy out there pushing the movie to people’s faces, but I thank God still.
Let’s talk about your journey into the movie industry. How did that happen for you?
I joined in 2003 under a great producer called “Great Value”. He used to produce a lot then. I was then working as an Account clerk under his uncle who was like an investor to him. There came a day he was in our office discussing projects with his uncle and I was right there sitting in a corner. My boss teased me about why I was listening to their conversations, that I wanted to act. And the man said, “She’s got the looks of an actor already; I will be writing a story soon that she can fit in.” Although I won’t say I was interested in acting most times, I listen to my inner spirit. Anything that flows with my spirit, I allow. Then my boss allowed me to join their rehearsals because it was close to my office in Ogudu, and then in 2004, I was given a lead role. I played alongside the likes of Femi Adebayo, Peju Ogunmola, Deji Adenuga and Bimbo Akinsanya.
A lot of people thought you started from Abeokuta. How true is that?
It’s not true, but today I can’t write the story of my life and not mention Abeokuta. It’s having a BSCE and then going to Odun Adekola for Masters. I met him in 2009 and since then till now, he’s been so supportive and wonderful to me. I can’t write about my journey in this industry and omit his name at all. His first movie launched me back to people’s faces. “Alani Pamolekun” was my first major break, and since then, God has been so good to me. Well, God bless him.
Lastly, what have you learnt from your story?
Life has taught me that everything happens for a reason. It has taught me that there is always God’s time. It has also taught me that hard work truly pays after all. My life story also taught me to be resilient and focused. And to always believe that I can do it.