Creativity Meet Talent: The Story of an Emerging Nollywood Icon

By Mubeen Olorunkuse Wahah

In today’s fast-paced world, watching movies has become a messiah for humans. It is the only art that suits the vacuum of entertainment and education together. A movie is known as a motion picture, or work of visual art functioning as a tool to simulate experiences that communicate ideas and thoughts. In time immemorial, the Nigeria movie industry, popularly known as Nollywood, has been at the forefront of providing top-notch movies that cater to the entertainment and educational needs of Nigerians both at home and abroad.

Without actors, a movie is as lifeless as a polythene. Adekanla Aderinola Desalu, popularly known as Deza the Great (DTG), is one of the talented actors who have made a name for themselves in the Nollywood industry. With his captivating performances in movies like “Big Love” (2023), “Wrong Choice” (2023), and “Role Play” (2022), DTG has become a household name in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Born on November 7, 1980, in Lagos, Nigeria, Deza is a proud Yoruba-Lagosian who has made a significant impact in the Nollywood industry. With a strong educational background in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos and an MBA in Artificial Intelligence from Nexford University, Washington DC, Deza’s passion for acting has been evident from a tender age.

Growing up in a family of five boys, Deza developed a strong interest in acting, often re-enacting movie scenes and mimicking characters’ voices. His hobbies include swimming, reading, and watching TV.

Deza’s mother, a teacher, has been a significant influence in his life, and he credits her for his current achievements. Apart from being a talented actor, Deza is also a business advisor, banker, and host. He currently works as the Regional Client Engagement Officer at Sterling Bank Plc in Lagos, with an estimated net worth of $250,000.

With over 150 movies to his credit, Deza has established himself as one of the most sought-after actors in Nollywood. Some of his notable roles include Damini in “Love in Lagos” (2023), Eddy in “Cloud 9” (2023), and Femi in “Wrong Choice” (2023).

He has produced 7 different movies of his own. His first movie appearance was in a TV series called Catwalq in 2010, where he played the character Barry, who was dating one (Paris) of three friends who owned a fashion store.
As a devoted Christian and family man, Deza has been married to his wife for over a decade and has a beautiful daughter, Lizzy, born on November 8, 2008.

The actor has three known tattoos—two Arabic scripts on both biceps and a scorpion on the chest. The Arabic writings are his daughters’ names, but the scorpion tattoo represents his Zodiac sign.

In conclusion, Adekanla Aderinola Desalu, popularly known as Deza the Great [DGA], is a talented Nollywood actor who has made a significant impact in the Nigerian entertainment industry. With his passion for acting, strong educational background, and dedication to his family, Deza is an inspiration to many young actors and a shining example of success in the Nollywood industry.