Alexx Ekubo
{{short description|Nigerian actor and model (born 1986)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Alexx Ekubo
| image = Alexx-Ekubo-Scaled2.png
| image_size =
| alt = Alexx Ekubo
| caption = Alexx Ekubo
| birth_name = Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|04|10}}
| birth_place = Nigeria
| othername =
| nationality = Nigerian
| citizenship = Nigeria
| education = Law, University of Calabar
| alma_mater = University of Calabar
| occupation = Actor, Entertainer, and Humanitarian
| yearsactive = 2005–present
| website =
}}
Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke (born 10 April 1986) is a Nigerian Actor, Entertainer, and Humanitarian.{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=https://alexxekubo.com/about/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Alexx Ekubo |language=en-GB}}
He is best known for his roles in Nollywood romantic comedies and dramas and is considered one of the most bankable and versatile talents in contemporary African cinema. He was the first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest and rose to prominence in the Nollywood blockbuster, Weekend Getaway.{{Citation |last=Elliot |first=Desmond |title=Weekend Getaway |date=2012-03-29 |type=Comedy, Drama, Romance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15148910/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |others=Pat Akpabio, Monalisa Chinda, Emeka Duru |publisher=Emem Isong Production}} In 2020, he was named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD){{Cite web |title=Alexx Ekubo |url=https://blog.mipad.org/alexx-ekubo/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=blog.mipad.org}} under 40 by the United Nations, for his contributions to entertainment and social development across the continent.
Early life and education
Ekubo is a native of Arochukwu, Abia State in the south-eastern region part of Nigeria. He attended Federal Government College Daura, Katsina State in the Northern region of Nigeria. He studied law at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. He was also awarded an Honorary Degree in Arts & Culture from the Instut Supèrieur de Communcation et de Gestion{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2021-08-29 |title=Alexx Ekubo gets Honorary Doctorate Degree from ISCG Benin University |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/08/alexx-ekubo-honorary-doctorate/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} (ISCG University) Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 2021.
Personal life
Ekubo is known for his distinctive fashion presence, and is frequently featured on best-dressed lists across Africa. He maintains a private lifestyle and often uses his platform to advocate for social causes and youth empowerment.
Career
Ekubo’s film debut was a minor role in Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun’s Sinners in the house (2005). He later starred in Afamefuna, Power of 1{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9220770/plotsummary/ |title=Power of 1 (2018) - Plot - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-06-19 |via=www.imdb.com}}, A Sunday Affair, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Bling Lagosians, Catch.er, Zero Hour{{Citation |last=Peters |first=Robert |title=Zero Hour |date=2018-03-22 |type=Crime, Mystery, Thriller |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16073498/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |others=Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu, Ayoola Ayolola, Eze Daniel |publisher=FKD Production}}, The First Lady{{Citation |last=Oboli |first=Omoni |title=The First Lady |date=2015-10-01 |type=Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15148808/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |others=Omoni Oboli, Alexx Ekubo, Chinedu Ikedieze |publisher=Dioni Visions entertainment}}, Lagos Cougars, Weekend Getaway, among other films, often portraying charismatic or comedic characters. His performances have been praised for blending humour, emotional depth, and commercial appeal.
With over a 100 films credit, Ekubo has worked with leading Nollywood filmmakers and is increasingly recognized as a cultural bridge between African and diaspora cinema. His appearances at film festivals across the world and work with streaming platforms giants have positioned him as a global African talent.
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Beyond entertainment, Ekubo is a humanitarian/philanthropist youth advocate. He has participated in numerous charitable initiatives and outreach programs across Nigeria and the West African region. In 2020 He received a certificate of excellence from the Sapio Club SGD (Sustainable Goals Development){{Cite web |title=Sapio Club Celebrates Nigeria @60 *Dino Melaye, Seyi Tinubu, others grace event {{!}} Global Excellence Online |url=https://globalexcellenceonline.com/sapio-club-celebrates-nigeria-60-dino-melaye-seyi-tinubu-others-grace-event/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=globalexcellenceonline.com}} for an exemplary contribution to the African Entertainment & Humanitarian Effort. In 2021, he was awarded the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year by the Nigerian National Awards for his charity efforts
Ekubo recognized in 2023 as the Rotary Youth Ambassador of the year under Rotary International District 9142.
Television
- Secrets & Scandals
- Hope Bay
- Happy Family
- Tinsel
- AY's Crib (2013–2015) as JJ
- Married to the Game (2014–2015) as Vincent Coker
Filmography
- Ladies Gang (2011) as Jude
- Aina (2011) as Handsome Man
- Weekend Getaway (2012) as Andre Dikeh
- True Citizens (2012)
- In the Cupboard (2012) as Tega
- Dream Walker (2013) as Dream Man
- Keeping my Man (2013) as Rasheed
- Lagos Cougars (2013) as Chigo
- Champagne (2014) as Tare Hopewell
- Single, Married and Complicated (2014)
- Ifedolapo (2014){{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/tope-osoba-gives-alex-ekubo-first-yoruba-movie-role/|title=Tope Osoba gives Alex Ekubo first Yoruba movie role|date=July 15, 2014|accessdate=August 11, 2015|publisher=The Vanguard}} as Richard
- Gold Diggin (2014) (with Yvonne Nelson and Rukky Sanda) as Chris
- Undercover Lover (2015) as Collins
- All that Glitters (2015)
- The First Lady (2015) (with Omoni Oboli) as Obama
- Gbomo Gbomo Express (2015) as Hubby
- Luke of Lies (2015) as Luke{{Cite web |last=TalkAfricanMovies |date=2015-08-03 |title=LUKE OF LIES {{!}} Nollywood Movie Review {{!}} Talk African Movies |url=https://www.talkafricanmovies.com/luke-of-lies/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.talkafricanmovies.com |language=en-US}}
- Death Toll (2015){{cite web|url=http://199news.com/news/death-toll-alexx-ekubo-ik-ogbonna-mike-godson-star-in-new-movie|title='Death Toll': Alexx Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, Mike Godson star in new movie|website=199News|publisher=Ayebusiwa Victor|accessdate=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525182251/http://199news.com/news/death-toll-alexx-ekubo-ik-ogbonna-mike-godson-star-in-new-movie|archive-date=25 May 2015|url-status=dead}}
- Entreat (2016) as Michael Olawale
- The Other Side of the Coin (2016)
- Diary of a Lagos Girl (2016) as Ife
- Wife Material (2017){{Cite web|url=https://ibakatv.com/wife-material|title=Wife Material - iBAKATV {{!}} Home for Nollywood Movies|website=ibakatv.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223074344/https://ibakatv.com/wife-material|archive-date=2019-02-23|url-status=dead}} as Tony
- A Man for the Weekend (2017) (with Syndy Emade) as Bryan
- Catcher (2017) as Tony Bello
- 3 is a Crowd (2017){{Cite web|url=http://blog.irokotv.com/2017/04/28/3-crowd-now-playing-irokotv/|title=3 IS A CROWD now playing on iROKOtv!|date=2017-04-28|website=irokotv blog|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-23|archive-date=9 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209101603/http://blog.irokotv.com/2017/04/28/3-crowd-now-playing-irokotv/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.talkafricanmovies.com/3-is-a-crowd/|title=3 IS A CROWD|date=2017-07-31|website=Talk African Movies|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-23}} as Derek
- Hot Girl Next Door (2018) as Ken
- Switch (2018) as Leo
- Power of 1 (2018) as LeJit
- The American King: As told by an African Priestess (2019)
- Bling Lagosians (2019) as Nnamdi
- Zero Hour (2019) as Zamani Davou
- Your Excellency (2019) as Kachi
- 72 hours (2019)
- Soft Work (2020) as Dare Olusegun
- Son of Mercy (2020) as Efe
- Bitter Rain (2021) as TY
- The Real Us (2021) as Nnamdi
- Tiger Tails (2022) as Udoka
- The American King (2022)
- Almajiri (2022)
- The Blood Covenant (2022) as Obi
- Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story (2023)
- Peace Be Still (2023)
- A Sunday Affair (2023) as Femi
- Rush Hour (2024) as Abuchi
- Smiling Masks (2024)
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| Year
!Award !Category !Film !Result !Ref |
|---|
| 2012
| Most Promising Actor | In The Cupboard | {{won}} | |
| rowspan="2"|2013
| Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards | Best Supporting Actor |rowspan="2"|Weekend Getaway | {{won}} | |
| Best of Nollywood Awards
| Best Supporting Actor | {{won}} | |
| 2014
|Screen Nation Awards | Favourite Male Emerging Screen Talent (African) | Himself | {{won}} |
| 2017
|Best Actor in a Lead role – English |Inikpi |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" |2020
| rowspan="2" |Best of Nollywood Awards |Best Actor in a Supporting Role (English) | rowspan="2" |The Bling Lagosians |{{won}} |
| Best Kiss in a Movie
|{{nom}} |
| 2021
|Most Popular Actor | |{{won}} |{{Cite web|title=Net Honours - The Class of 2021|url=https://thenet.ng/net-honours-class-of-2021/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Nigerian Entertainment Today|language=en-US}} |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|4200896}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ekubo, Alex}}
Category:Male actors from Abia State
Category:University of Calabar alumni
Category:Nigerian male film actors
Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors
Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema