The Making of Itele D'Icon
The story of Ibrahim Yekini is the story of craft, reinvention, and a refusal to separate personal success from the duty to raise new talent.
Awards
Ibrahim Yekini, widely known as Itele D'Icon, is one of the defining faces of contemporary Yoruba Nollywood. His career blends screen performance, production leadership, directing discipline, and a long-term commitment to developing younger talent.
He joined the Folorunsho Adejobi Theatre Group in Iju Ishaga in 1998, where he absorbed the discipline of live performance, rehearsal culture, and Yoruba dramatic tradition. Those early years shaped the command and intensity that later became his screen identity.
By 2000 he made his first film appearance in Dapo Tori Ti E, and by 2004 he had produced Itele, the project that gave rise to the stage name that has stayed with him ever since. His breakthrough continued with Ekun Meta in 2006, while he deepened his directing education under Don Richard.
Kesari in 2018 established him as a major action figure in Nollywood, and Return of Kesari in 2019 demonstrated the full range of his ambition as writer, director, producer, and actor. In 2020 his performance in Lucifer earned the BON Best Actor in Lead Role honour.
His influence widened again with Jagun Jagun on Netflix in 2023 and the record-breaking Koleoso phenomenon in 2025. Alongside those productions, he built D'Icon School of Performing Arts to ensure that the next generation of Yoruba talent receives real industry preparation, not empty prestige.
“I always want my students to go higher than me.”Ibrahim Yekini
A Career in Motion
A career built through performance discipline, production ambition, and a commitment to Yoruba storytelling at cinematic scale.
1998
Joined Folorunsho Adejobi Theatre Group
Began formal stage work in Iju Ishaga and built the performance discipline that shaped his screen presence.
2000
First film appearance - Dapo Tori Ti E
Entered film with a performance that marked the beginning of his Nollywood screen journey.
2004
First production as producer - Itele
Produced the film that gave birth to the name Itele, now recognised across Yoruba cinema.
2006
Ekun Meta breakthrough
Expanded his industry standing while learning directing craft from Don Richard.
2018
Kesari established a screen identity
Became firmly recognised as a commanding Nollywood action lead.
2019
Return of Kesari
Wrote, directed, and produced the film, proving full-spectrum creative authorship.
2020
BON Best Actor in Lead Role
Won the award for Lucifer, confirming both commercial impact and performance depth.
2023
Jagun Jagun on Netflix
Played Gbogunmi in the Netflix Yoruba epic and reached an even wider international audience.
2025
Koleoso cultural breakout
Koleoso became the #1 most searched Nigerian series on Google in 2025 and elevated the Iteledicon Studio brand.