Richard Mofe-Damijo

Richard Evans Mofe-Damijo (born 6 July 1961), popularly known as RMD, is a foremost Nigerian actor, writer, producer, lawyer, and former journalist. He was also a Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State in 2009. In 2005, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2016. In 2024, he was honoured with the Industry Merit Awards, alongside Iya Rainbow at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.

Early life
Mofe-Damijo was born in Aladja community of Udu Kingdom, Delta State, in the South-South region of Nigeria. He attended Midwest College, Warri and Anglican Grammar School, and was a member of the Drama Club. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Benin. In 1997, Mofe-Damijo returned to the university to study law at the University of Lagos, and graduated in 2004.

Career
After graduating from university with a Theatre Arts degree, Mofe-Damijo appeared in the soap opera Ripples as a police inspector but gained more popularity as villain Segun Kadiri in rival soap Checkmate. Before then, he had a stint as a writer with daily newspaper The Concord, and magazines Metro and Quality. Out of Bounds was the first film for which he received a writer/producer credit. In 2005, at the maiden edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Mofe-Damijo won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. On 5th January 2017, he hosted the 2016 GLO-CAF Awards alongside Nigerian journalist Mimi Fawaz. On 8th December 2021, he won an award at Ghana, a Black Star Honor at the Rhymes on Da Runway in Gold coast, Ghana.

Political career
Mofe-Damijo was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism to the then Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, and was Delta State commissioner for culture and tourism 2009 and 2015.

Personal life
Mofe-Damijo was married to a journalist/publisher and talk show host May Ellen 'MEE' Ezekiel. After her death in 1996, Mofe-Damijo married TV personality Jumobi Adegbesan, who later left TV presenting for the corporate world. Mofe-Damijo has five children: two with his current wife and three from his previous marriage.