Olubankole Wellington, born 27 March 1981, is an award-winning Nigerian singer, actor, entrepreneur and politician popularly known by his stage name Banky W.
The popular singer Banky Wellington has gained global recognition for releasing hit songs, including ‘Low Key’, Heaven, Till My Dying, Whatchu Doing Tonight, and Good Good Loving. He is also the founder and owner of the E.M.E. record label.
Bank W is undoubtedly a living legend in the Nigerian music industry.
Profile
- Full Name: Olubankole Wellington
- Stage Name: Banky W
- Date of birth: 27th March 1981
- Age: 43 years old
- Place of birth: New York City, USA
- State Of Origin: Lagos State
- Parents: George Bankole Wellington, Momma Wellington
- Relationship status: Married
- Spouse: Adesua Etomi
- Children: Hazaiah Olusegun Wellington
- Siblings: 4
- Profession: Singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur
- Net worth: $9 million
Early Life & Education
The 43-year-old Nigerian singer Banky W was born in the United States to George Bankole Wellington and Momma W, commonly known as Mrs Wellington.
He is the proud son of his parents; his father hails from Badagry, while his mother hails from Calabar, Cross River State.
Five years after his birth, his family relocated back to Nigeria. Banky W was raised alongside his four siblings: three brothers and one sister. However, no details are known about Banky’s siblings.
Olubankole Wellington received his primary and secondary Education in Lagos State, Nigeria, before moving back to the United States of America on a scholarship to further his tertiary Education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Career
In 2002, Banky W started the record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) while studying. He was also working at GlobalSpec.
In 2009, he returned from the U.S. to Lagos State, Nigeria, where he launched his record label. He started by signing artists like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales, and Wizkid.
Banky W is among the most influential and successful Nigerian artists. He début first studio album, Back in the Building, in 2005. The R&B singer was also known for writing the popular Etisalat Nigeria theme song “0809ja for life“.
In 2013, a day after Valentine, a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts, the singer launched his R&BW album at a music concert, “The Grand Love Concert”, at the Civic Centre Victoria Island Lagos State.
In 2017, the R&B singer and C.E.O., Empire Mates record label, shared with the public the dissolution of the E.M.E. Record label.
The singer said E.M.E. will now be in marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, and shooting television commercials and documentaries.
Banky W is known not only for his musical talent but also for his passion for acting. He appeared in Nollywood blockbuster movies like Wedding Party in 2016 alongside his wife, Adesua Etomi.
Moving forward to 11 November 2018, the singer showed his interest in politics; he contested for the Lagos’s Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
Sadly, Wellington lost the Elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (A.P.C.).
In 2023, the singer-turned-politician Banky W once again lost his bid to represent the Eti-Osa constituency in the House of Representatives after decamping from the Modern Democratic Party to the People’s Democratic Party.
The Labour Party (L.P.) candidate, Attah Thaddeus, won the election.
Personal Life
Olubankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W, traditionally engaged his beautiful wife, Adesua Etomi, on 19 November 2017.
His wife is a talented Nigerian actress. She has starred in various movies, such as Knocking On Heaven’s Door as Debbie, The Wedding Party as Dunnie Coker, and A Soldier’s Story as Lebari.
After their traditional wedding, the couple’ did a white wedding on 25 November 2017, held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The couple welcomed their son, Hazaiah Olusegun “Champ” Wellington, in January 2021.
Hazaiah, whose identity was kept hidden since birth, was revealed in honour of National Son’s Day.
Adesua took to her Instagram page to shower sweet words to her son. She wrote “Happy National Son’s day my beautiful Hazaiah. You make me goofy happy. You’re everything I prayed for and so much more.”
Awards & Nominations
- 2006 – John Lennon Song Writing Award for the R&B Category
- 2006 – Best R&B Artist during the Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- 2006 – Best Male R&B Artist during the Urban Independent Music Awards, USA
- 2008 – Best R&B Video during the Nigerian Music Video Awards
- 2009 – Best Male Vocal Performance at the Hip hop World Awards
- 2010 – R&B Single of the year during the Hip Hop World Awards
- 2010 – Best R&B Singer (Male) and Best Music Video during the City People Entertainment Awards
Discography
Songs
- Heaven
- Made for You
- Say
- Love U Baby
- Yes/No
- All I want is You
- Whatchu Doing Tonight
- Strong Ting
- Lagos Party
- Jasi
- Blessing Me
- Till My Dying Day
- Final Say
- Kololo
- My Regret
- High Notes
- Running After U
- Gidi Love
- Low Key
- Don’t Break My Heart
- Made for U
- Good Good Loving
- Unborn Child
- Feeling It
- Omoge You Too Much
- Mercy
- Talk and Do
- Better for U
- Do it to Me
- Baddest Boy
Albums
- Undeniable
- Back in the Building
- Mr Capable
- The W Experience
- Empire Mates State of Mind
- R & BW
- Songs About U
Filmography
He has starred in the following films:
- Sugar Rush
- Up North
- The Wedding Party 2
- The Return of Jenifa
- Dulce Dinero
Social Media
- Instagram: @bankywellington
Net Worth
According to various internet sources, the singer is one of Nigeria’s richest musicians.
His net worth is estimated to be $9 million.
Banky W has also established himself as a successful actor and politician. He is regarded as one of the most influential and successful Nigerian artists.
