Banky W.

Banky W. Basic Information

Banky W. Biography

On March 27, 1981, Olubankole Wellington was born to Nigerian parents in the United States. When he turned five years old, his family left for Nigeria. At an early age, he started singing in the church choir. Three brothers and one sister make up his four siblings. Unfortunately, detailed information about his siblings is sketchy to the general public.

Before returning to the USA, the singer attended primary and secondary school in Lagos. A scholarship was given to him so that he may attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York City. While pursuing his education at the polytechnic, the singer began establishing a career in the music business. The singer launched an E.M.E.-branded record company in 2002. He was employed with GlobalSpec as well. The musician returned to Nigeria after finishing his education and spending some time in the United States. In 2017, he underwent successful surgery for skin carcinoma on his shoulder.

He moved to Nigeria from the US in 2009, where he launched his record company in Lagos T.V. bringing on Wizkid, Shaydee, Niyola, and Skales as musicians. His first studio album, Back in the Building was released in 2005. “Ebute Metta” served as his debut single.

Lifestyle

Asides from being a stellar musician and entertainer, Banky W remains a guy of many abilities; Banky W has been in popular Nigerian films such as The wedding party, MNet TV programs, Jacob’s Cross, and Shuga. He values having excellent skills and deep knowledge of his subject. As a result, he took screenwriting and filmmaking courses at the New York Film Academy, where he improved his acting and production abilities. He has since created and directed many music videos and started as the main character in the well-known film The Wedding Party in 2016. Box office records were broken. Banky has collaborated with notable companies and taken part in several corporate marketing initiatives, including those for Etisalat’s 0809ja Launch, Microsoft, TomTom, Samsung, and many others. In addition, he represents Samsung, Uber, and Ciroc vodka as a brand ambassador.

The multi-talented producer and performer are also skilled MC and motivational speaker. He has given stirring and impactful lectures at well-known gatherings like TEDxLagos, and WIMBIZ. In addition, Banky W has served as the emcee for several significant occasions, including the Gulder Ultimate Search Celebrity Show Launch, One Africa Music Fest, and many more.

Philanthropist Banky W  initiated the “I AM CAPABLE” scholarship fund, which he uses as a platform to give back to the community. The organization helps worthy young people in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad with their tuition and other expenses.

He has significantly impacted numerous philanthropic projects like Enough is Enough and Light Up Nigeria; Banky W collaborated with the Pink Oak Cancer Trust to sponsor the care of 25 cancer patients.

The multi-talented artist collaborated with international organizations USAid and IRI on the #Dream4Naija project. The project aimed to promote youth in Nigeria’s political system. Additionally, he took part in the nonviolent #OccupyNigeria demonstration in 2012.

Net Worth

Following his involvement in the entertainment space and achievements, Banky W is estimated to be worth around $10 million.

House & Cars

A duplex is owned by the EME director in Lekki, Lagos State. The residence features a private pool with the initials “W” at the bottom. A Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado are included among his cars.

Family

Banky W is a member of a Family of Seven that consists of his Parents, three brothers, and his only sister. Unfortunately, detailed information about them isn’t sufficient online as they try to lead private lives, but it has been reported that they are residents of the United States.

Child

His Union with Adesuwa has given fruit to a baby Boy, Zaiah. The couple released ‘Final Say’  when their child was born. The song describes how God provided for them during the difficulty of becoming parents.

Additionally, he is said to have fathered a child with the stunning Nigerian model Uche Odoh, with whom he had a girlchild. The girl is said to be eight years old now.

Siblings

He has a sister as well as three brothers. Each of them appears to be a source of great pride for their parents and upholds their family’s reputation. They’re all current residents of the US.

Brother(s)

His three brothers are Funmi, Temi, and Kema. Kema is into martial arts, while  Funmi and Temi came into the limelight at their brother’s high-profile wedding to Adesuwa.

Sister(s)

His only sister is a successful event planner and owns the award-winning brand “The Urban Marketplace(TUM Socials).”

Parents

Banky’s parents left Nigeria together and settled in the United States. Banky was given birth in the USA as a result. They relocated back to Nigeria when he was five.

Father

His father’s name is George Wellington, and he was an orphan from Badagry, Lagos state.

Mother

His Mother, also sometimes called Momma W, hails from Calabar and was a child of a single parent.

Wife

Adesuwa Etomi-Wellington is Banky’s wife, and the couple got married in February. She gave birth to a son, Zaiah. Adesuwa is an actress, pastor, entrepreneur, and Producer. their traditional wedding took place on November 19, their court wedding on November 20, and their white wedding on November 25, respectively, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa.

Political Career

On November 11, 2018, Wellington declared his intention to run on the 2017-founded Modern Democratic Party Platform for the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives.

Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress defeated Wellington in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections on February 23, 2019.

Before the 2023 general elections, Wellington switched from the Modern Democratic Party to the Peoples Democratic Party. He won the latter’s ticket for the Nigerian House of Representatives seat representing Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency.

Musical Career

Banky’s love for the entertainment industry started when he was only a little lad. He did not fight the impulse to indulge his interest, even though he was studying Industrial engineering in school. However, it takes a strong will to follow through with his desire. This happened with Banky W when he decided to create Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) in 2002 while still a college student with his friend Tunde Demuren.

Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) started in Albany, New York, before relocating to Lagos, Nigeria, with the business’s main office in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. It was intended to serve as a showcase for Banky W’s music and the work of other signed artists.

After several years, Banky W and his business partner Tunde Demuren decided to end the record label component of EME and let the company focus on a full-service media and management firm. They are now concentrating on talent management, brand activation, PR, advertising, and creative marketing. Because of this restructuring, they are no longer just limited to musicians. Currently, they work with OAPs, actors, and brands and assess sports management. They seek out individuals and businesses they believe in, collaborate with them, and help them succeed. As well as shooting music videos, they also produce TV commercials and documentaries. The business positions itself as the go-to source for fusing corporate Africa with entertainment.

• Best R&B Artist at Nigerian Entertainment Awards  (2006)
• Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Best International Single of the Year (2007)
• Best R&B Video at Nigerian Music Video Awards (2008)
• Best Male Vocal Performance at Hip Hop World Awards (2008)
• R&B Single of the Year at Hip Hop World Awards (2010)
• R&B Singer of the Year at City People Entertainment Awards (2010)
• Best Music Video(Male) at Sound City Music Video Awards (2010)
• Best R&B Singer at Sound City Music Video Award (2010)
• Most Gifted R&B Video(Male at Channel O Music Video Awards  (2011)
• Musician of the Year at the Future Awards (2011)
• Best R&B Single at the Headies Awards (2013)
• Music Entrepreneur of the Year at Awesome Awards (2015)
• Artist of the Year at The Urban Marketplace (2016), amongst others.

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