Mr Macaroni

Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo (ⓘ) (born 3 May 1993), popularly known by his stage name Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, and activist. He was the second highest-grossing Nollywood actor of 2025. He is known for his online comedy skits and roles in films such as Ayinla (2021), Aníkúlápó (2022), Freedom Way (2024), and Lisabi: The Uprising (2024). He won the TFAA Prize For Acting in 2025, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the AMVCAs in the same year for his performance in the Netflix film, Lisabi: The Uprising. He premiered two films at TIFF in 2024, and won Best Supporting Actor, Africa at TINFF. Debo has made multiple appearances on YNAIJA & Ebonylife’s annual list of The Nollywood 100, and is the recipient of two honorary doctorates awarded him in 2023.

Adedayo first gained popularity in 2019 from his satirical skits on social media, playing characters such as the philandering political figure "Daddy Wa" and a strict lecturer, "Professor Hard Life". He popularized catchphrases like "Ooin", "Freaky freaky" and "You are doing well".

He is an advocate for social and civic empowerment, and most notably was involved in the 2020 #EndSARS movement in Nigeria, when he himself was a victim of police brutality.

Since then, Adedayo has increasingly used his platform to champion social causes and frequently combines humor with civic education in his skits. In 2022 and 2023 he won the Trendupp Awards' Force of Influence award given to the "influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space".

Early life & Education

An indigene of Ogun State, Adebowale Babatunde Adedayo was born in Ogudu, Lagos into an Upper middle class, Islamic and Christian family of The publisher of Alaroye, Musa Alao Adedayo on May 3, 1993. He grew up in Magodo area of Lagos where he attended Tendercare International Nursery. He went to Primary school in Ojota, Ogudu and later attended Babcock University High School where he was head boy. In 2009, Debo was forced to leave Lead City University due to accreditation issues after gaining admission to study law, same as in 2011 at the Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in the Republic of Benin.

Upon leaving Cotonou, Adedayo decided to discontinue his education and pursue a career in acting. In 2012, he trained to be a professional actor at the PEFTI Film Institute. After being featured in a few film and television roles, his parents convinced him to resume his education. He began studying Theatre Arts at Afe Babalola University before switching to Redeemer's University Nigeria in 2013 where he earned a degree in Theatre Arts and Film Studies in 2018. Debo announced in 2025 that he had completed the course Advanced Acting for Camera at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, UK.

Career

Content Creation

Adedayo started as an actor in Nollywood before creating comedy videos. In an interview with Punch Nigeria, he said that he had been an actor for a long time by doing movies and soap operas. He said movie roles were no longer coming at some point and it took a while before he decided to start online comedy.

Debo's comedy addresses events and real issues in Africa. He always plays the role of a sugar daddy. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he said he chose the role of a sugar daddy because it represents a good percentage of naughty men who cannot control themselves.

His satirical skits highlight social and political issues like bad governance, civic responsibility, and human rights. He typically plays the role of a Sugar daddy politician known as "Daddy Wa" or a strict lecturer known as "Professor Hardlife".

Debo, in an interview with Punch Nigeria, said he knew he had a flair for comedy when he would mimic Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and everyone would laugh. He helped launch the careers of Nigerian comedy stars Akorede Ajayi (The Korexx), BaeU, and Kemi Ikuusedun (Kemz Mama) by giving them a platform thereby introducing them to a much bigger audience. He also pioneered the trend of featuring Nollywood veterans including Pete Edochie in skit content. His skits have also featured Jim Iyke, Bimbo Ademoye, Lateef Adedimeji, Sola Sobowale, Falz, Mr. P, Oga Sabinus (Mr. Funny), Kie Kie, Remote, Broda Shaggi, and Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife.

Debo emerged as 2025's second highest-grossing Nollywood actor after previously hitting the top 10 in 2021.

Acting

After gaining prominence as a comedian, Debo debuted on the big screen in March 2021, starring in Ponzi, a comedy film directed by Kayode Kasum, and later in the Ayinla Omowura biopic titled Ayinla which was released in June, ending the year as one of the top 10 highest-grossing Nollywood actors. Next, he appeared as Adura in the Jade Osiberu-produced crime drama thriller Brotherhood, and Akanji in Netflix's Aníkúlápó. Both films were released in September 2022.

In 2023, he portrayed the character Moyale in the Netflix original Yoruba Epic film, Jagun Jagun directed by Femi Adebayo. He played Wemimo in Gangs of Lagos, also produced by Osiberu, and starred in the Biodun Stephen-directed comedy Small Talk in the same year. The latter earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 2024 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.

He returned to Netflix in January 2024 starring in his third Yoruba Epic film, Lisabi: The Uprising, based on the historic 18th-century Lisabi Rebellion of Abeokuta. The film bagged 10 nominations at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) including Best Supporting Actor for Debo.

In September, Debo premiered two films, including The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos and Freedom Way at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. Freedom Way was released to cinemas across Nigeria in July 2025, and was dubbed "a melodrama of heightened situations" by Variety. Both films were also selected as festival favorites at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. He starred alongside Bukky Wright, Lateef Adedimeji, Timini Egbuson, and Tobi Bakre in the critically acclaimed film, Red Circle in June 2025. In December, he starred in Funke Akindele's blockbuster film Behind The scenes, which became Nollywood's highest-grossing film of all time, earning over N2billion at the box office. He ended the year ranking as the second highest-grossing Nigerian actor behind BTS co-star Tobi Bakre.

Recognition and Accolades

While he was a student of Redeemer's University, Debo served as President of the Student Association.

In 2023, he was awarded two honorary doctorates including Doctor of Creative Writing, Honoris Causa from Precious Cornerstone University, Nigeria, and Doctor Of Arts, Honoris Causa from Hill City University Benin Republic.

In February 2024, he made YNaija and BellaNaija's list of The Nollywood 100 alongside industry icons Funke Akindele, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello and more.

Alongside several other emerging leaders, Debo participated in the United States’ International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) held in Washington DC, Miami, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles in July 2024.

He won Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Toronto International Nigerian Film Festival for his performance in Survivors.

Alongside Japanese filmmaker Shunji Iwai, Juri Ueno (actor), Miyuki Fukuma (producer), and Tao Okamoto (model-actress), Debo appeared as part of the jury in Japan’s Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & ASIA) in May 2025.

In November 2025, he emerged winner of The Future Awards Africa Prize for Acting after previously winning the Prize for Content Creation in 2020. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising.

He was presented with the YouTube Gold Award for hitting one million subscribers on the platform in December 2025.

Impact and Legacy

Activism

Debo is known for his activism, often collaborating with organizations like Yiaga Africa for the Youth Vote Count campaign and using his platforms to sensitize and advocate for youth empowerment, good governance and civic rights.

Nigerians considered Mr Macaroni as the top celebrity who inspired them to vote in the 2023 elections.

EndSARS

Adedayo has been active in the End SARS movement.

On Saturday, 13 February 2021, police arrested him at Lekki Toll Gate during the #OccupyLekkiTollgate protest.

After staging a sleep-in at the state house in Alausa, with Rinu Oduala and a group of protestors on the 8th of October 2020, Adedayo continued to lend his platform to the protests and became one of the key faces of the #EndSARS movement.

In February 2021, upon learning that the government intended to resume tolling at the toll gate, protests resumed once again under the #OccupyLekkiTollGate movement. Adedayo and numerous other protestors were arrested and savagely brutalized by the Nigerian police till public outcry forced their release.

He was subsequently picked up and arrested for defying the Lagos State directive against the protest. The protesters have since been granted N100,000 bail each and arraigned on charges bordering on flouting the COVID-19 protocol on public gatherings and ‘breaking an order not to protest’.

In October 2021, on the 1-year anniversary of the Lekki massacre, key #EndSARS figures, including Debo, Folarin “Falz” Falana, and others, led a successful drive-by event at the toll gate in memory of the massacre victims.

In November 2021, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu invited key #EndSARS figures and stakeholders to participate in a peace walk. His offer was vehemently rejected by Adedayo, who instead urged the government to implement the findings of the panel that investigated the Lekki massacre.

Philanthropy

Debo has often been praised for his charitable efforts, donating sums of money to several organizations and individuals. In June 2022, he donated his PJPA winning cash prize of $1000 for the People Newsmaker for Justice to Connect Hub NG to "support their selfless work in advocating against state violence in Nigeria."

Endorsements

Debo has partnered with several top local and brands including Goldberg, Mikano, SERAP and more. In 2020, he signed on as a brand ambassador for 1960Bet. He teamed up with Goldberg alongside top Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola and Dj Kaywise in September 2021 to celebrate Omoluabi Day with the launch of a commercial coinciding with the celebration of the inaugural edition of Goldberg Omoluabi Day at the palace of The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. In December 2023, Debo announced that he had signed a new deal with Mikano Motors after winning The Force of Influence Award at The TrendUpp Awards alongside a brand new car. The endorement was renewed in 2025. In October 2022, DrinksNG signed Debo on a one-year partnership to help relaunch its pre-drinks platform "Meet Me At The Liquor Store".

Filmography

Movies

TV series

Awards and nominations

See also

• List of Nigerian comedians

External links

• at IMDb