Efa Iwara

Efa Iwara (born 20 August 1986), also known as Efa, is a Nigerian actor and rapper.^[1]

Efa Iwara
Efe at the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards
Born	(1986-08-20) 20 August 1986 (age 38) Ibadan, Nigeria
Education	University of Ibadan
Occupations	Actor rapper
Years active	2006 to date
Known for	Acting, music

Early life and education

Iwara was born on 20 August 1986 in Ibadan, Oyo State to his Professor of Linguistics father and Librarian mother. He hails from Ugep in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria.^[1][2]

He attended Staff School, Ibadan for his primary education, and the International School, Barth Road, Ibadan, for his secondary education. He graduated from the University of Ibadan, with a bachelor's degree in Geography.^[3][4]

Career

Iwara started out his career in the entertainment industry as a musician in 2006 in a group called X-Factor with DJ Clem,^[5] Bolaji, Jide and Boye. Following the dissolution of the group, he released his first single and 5 track EP called Waka EP in 2011. His last official single was titled “Fall in Love” featuring Plantashun Boiz in 2014^[6]

He made his acting debut in a 2011 episode of Tinsel as a debate moderator. He was however still focused on music at this point. His next appearance was in the first season of MTV Shuga Naija in 2013. He was absent from the acting space until 2016 when he appeared on Life 101 for Ebonylife TV.^[6] Since then, he appeared in TV series including Ajoche, an Africa Magic original, Rumor Has It and The Men's Club. He has also featured in movies like Isoken, Seven and Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story. He earned his first Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) nomination for his performance in Seven.^[6]

Discography

Albums

• Without a Pulse (2020)^[2]

EPs

• Waka EP (2011)^[7]

Singles

Source:^[8]

• "Fall in Love" (featuring Plantashun Boiz)
• "Letter to the President Elect"
• "Sunmobi" (featuring Olamide)
• "Over you" (featuring Praiz)
• "Open and Close" (featuring Dammy Krane)
• "Obandi" (featuring Pelli)
• "Enigma"
• "E2DFA (E to the F-A)"

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
2024	Soft Love	Edward Obi	Comedy / Romance
	Hijack '93	Captain Odion	Drama / Thriller
2023	Pretty Evil	Ramsey	Alex Ajoku, Lucy Ameh, Rajunor Aya	[9][10]
	Mercy Line	Dr. Frederick	Drama	[11]
2022	Finding Hubby 2	Ade	Alongside Kehinde Bankole, Eso Dike
	Ile Owo	Tunji	Alongside Immaculate Oko Kasum, Tina Mba	[12]
2021	A Naija Christmas	Obi	Alongside Kunle Remi and Abayomi Alvin	[13]
2020	This Lady Called Life	Obinna	Alongside Bisola Aiyeola	[14]
	Finding Hubby	Ade	Alongside Kehinde Bankole, Eso Dike
	Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story	Bala	Alongside Stan Nze, Norbert Young	[15]
	The Sessions (2020 film)	Banjo	Alongside Ada Ameh, Fred Amata	[16]
2019	Seven	Kolade	Alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo and Sadiq Daba	[17]
	Dwindle	Collins
2018	The Eve	Ebere	Alongside Beverly Naya, Uche Montana
2017	Isoken	Osato's Husband	Alongside Dakore Akande, Joseph Benjamin, Funke Akindele	[18]
2016	Put a Ring on It	Uyi	Alongside Shawn Faqua, Osas Ighodaro	[19]

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref
2013	MTV Shuga	David		[6]
2018	The Men's Club	Tayo	Alongside Ayoola Ayolola and Sharon Ooja	[20]
	Rumour Has It	Femi		[6]
	Ajoche	Epe		[21]
	Corper Shun			[22]
2021	Ricordi			[23]
	King of Boys: The Return of the King	Dapo Banjo	Alongside Sola Sobowale and Toni Tones	[24]
2022	Diiche	Folajimi Gbajumo	Alongside Uzoamaka Onuoha and Daniel K. Daniel	[25]
2024	Òlòtūré: The Journey	Femi		[26]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Film	Result	Ref
2020	Best of Nollywood Awards	Best Actor in a Lead role – English	The Sessions	Nominated	[2]
		Best Kiss in a Movie		Nominated	[27]
	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Award	Best Actor in a Drama	Seven	Nominated	[28]
2021	Net Honours	Most Popular Actor	—	Nominated	[29]
2022	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Best Actor in A Drama	This Lady Called Life	Nominated	[30]