View source for Olaniyi Afonja

{{pp|type=semi}}
{{BaseArticle
 | shortdesc = comedian, actor and producer
}}
{{Infobox Per
| name               = Olaniyi Afonja {{Verified actor}}
| verified           = yes
| other_names        = Sanyeri opakan
| image              = Sanyeri.jpg
| caption            = 
| birth_name         = Olaniyi Mikail Afonja
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1974|10|14|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Oyo State, Nigeria]]
| occupation         = [[Actor]], [[Comedian]]
| citizenship        = Nigerian
| years_active       = 1992- till date
| spouse             = Hawawu Omolara Afonja (m. 2013)
| partner            = 
| children           = 2
| alma_mater         = Durbar Grammar School
| awards             = Yoruba Movie Academy awards Best Comedy Actor (Nominated), 2015 City People Entertainment awards Best Movie Producer of the year  and Comic Actor of the year

In 2024 he was Nominated as one of the most popular actor in Nigeria by Most popular celebrity Award (MPCA)
}}

'''Olaniyi Mukaila Afonja''' (born 14 October 1974), well known as '''Sanyeri''', is a Nigerian comedian, [[actor]] and film maker.<ref name="ecomium">{{cite news|url=http://www.encomium.ng/comic-actor-sanyeri-denies-using-wedding-to-raise-funds/|title=Comic actor, Sanyeri denies using wedding to raise funds|work=Ecomium Weekly|first=Amodeni|last=Dolapo|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=11 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-09-01 |title=Anybody criticising me for making only comedy is blind – Sanyeri |url=https://punchng.com/anybody-criticising-me-for-making-only-comedy-is-blind-sanyeri/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |newspaper=[[The Punch]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Born in Bola Area of [[Oyo, Oyo State|Oyo]] town in [[Oyo State]] as the first child of his parents, Olaniyi had his formal education at St. Michael Primary School, Òkè-èbó, Oyo State and Durbar
Grammar School, Oyo Town, Oyo State where he finished his secondary school education.<ref name="nf">{{cite news|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/artists_profile_details.asp?user_id=16553|title=Sanyeri Olaniyi Afonja|work=Nigeria Films|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=15 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215113935/http://www.nigeriafilms.com/artists_profile_details.asp?user_id=16553|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==
Olaniyi's acting career started in 1992, after joining a theatre group introduced to him by a friend. In 1996, Olaniyi relocated to [[Lagos State]] to further his career and has since starred in several Yoruba films.<ref name="nf"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/sanyeri-okunnu-saka-3-funniest-yoruba-actors-in-town-id3755389.html|title=3 funniest Yoruba actors in town|work=Pulse Nigeria|last=Bada|first=Gbenga|date=13 May 2015|accessdate=11 February 2016|archive-date=16 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616011528/http://www.pulse.ng/movies/sanyeri-okunnu-saka-3-funniest-yoruba-actors-in-town-id3755389.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2016}}
*''Idera (2022) as Baba Ige''
*''Blackout (2021) as Ekong''
*''Esin (2021) as Ayanda''
*''Jenifa (2008) as Adio Onikoko''
*Omo University (2015) as Yaya
*''Apesin (2006) as Ogboni''
*''Omo mi (2006) as Asogba''
*''Esin (2021) as Ayanda''
*''Osan ja (2013) as Salisu''
*''Black Day (2018) as Mufu''
*''Ise Imole (2009) as Sanyeri''
*''Alakada 2 (2013) as Conductor''
*''The Cock-Tale (2020) as Lakunle''
*''Queen Lateefat (2021) as Adekanbi''
*''[[Mimi (2021 Nigerian film)|Mimi]] (2021)''

==Personal life==
Olaniyi is married to Omolara Afonja with whom he has two children.<ref name="ecomium"/>

==Awards and nominations==
{{Incomplete list|date=February 2016}}
{| class ="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Award ceremony
!Prize
!Result
!Ref
|-
|2014
|Yoruba Movie Academy Awards
|Best Comedy Actor
|{{nom}}
| <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/136313-top-yoruba-actors-battle-to-win-at-the-yoruba-movie-academy-awards.html|title=Top Yoruba actors' battle to win at the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards|last=Ayobami|first=Abimbola|date=27 May 2013|accessdate=11 February 2016|newspaper=[[Premium Times]]}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|2015
|rowspan="2"|2015 City People Entertainment Awards
|Best Movie Producer of The Year (Yoruba)
|{{nom}}
| <ref name="nobs">{{cite news|url=http://www.360nobs.com/2015/07/olamide-tiwa-savage-360nobs-nominated-at-2015-city-people-awards/|title=Olamide, Tiwa Savage, 360Nobs Nominated At 2015 City People Awards|work=360Nobs|last=Mayowa Wana|first=George|date=14 July 2015|accessdate=11 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|Comic Actor of The Year (Yoruba)
|{{nom}}
| <ref name="nobs"/>
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Yoruba people]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Afonja, Olaniyi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Yoruba male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Nigerian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Yoruba cinema]]
[[Category:Actors from Oyo State]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Nigerian male television actors]]
[[Category:Nigerian filmmakers]]
[[Category:Nigerian male comedians]]
[[Category:Nigerian male film actors]]
[[Category:People from Oyo State]]

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