Olubankole Wellington, also known as Banky W, is a popular Nigerian-American artist, performer, businessman, and politician.
He was born on March 27, 1981, in the United States to Nigerian parents. During his time in school, he established Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E).
REAL FACTS ABOUT BANKY W
FULL NAME: Olubankole Wellington
DATE OF BIRTH: March 27, 1981
PLACE OF BIRTH: United States
STATE OF ORIGIN: Lagos State
NATIONALITY: Nigerian
OCCUPATION: Singer & Songwriter
WIFE: Adesua Etomi
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Olubankole Wellington, also known as Banky W, was born on March 27, 1981, in the United States to Nigerian parents.
At the age of five, his family moved back to Nigeria. He started singing in his church choir from a young age.
Banky W completed his primary and secondary education in Lagos before going back to New York’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was awarded a scholarship.
CAREER
While he was still in school, he established Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a music company. He also worked for GlobalSpec.
In 2009, he moved to Nigeria and started his own record company in Lagos, where he signed singers like Niyola, Shaydee, Skales, and Wizkid.
His debut studio album, titled “Back in the Building,” was released in 2005. His first single, “Ebute Metta,” gained popularity, and he also wrote the first theme song for Etisalat Nigeria, called “0809ja for life.”
In 2013, Wellington released his new album “R&BW” the day after Valentine’s Day. He held a concert called the “Grand Love Concert” at the Civic Centre in Lagos, which featured performances by Iyanya and Waje. The album’s first two singles were “Lowkey” and “Yes/No.”
In February 2018, Banky W announced that E.M.E would no longer function as a record label.
Instead, the company would focus on creative marketing, advertising, public relations, and brand events.
DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru, and his wife Adesua Etomi were among the first clients recognized by Banky W.
Banky W, a Nigerian musician, announced his plan to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives under the Modern Democratic Party in 2017.
However, he was unsuccessful in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections on February 23, 2019, losing to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
In preparation for the 2023 general election, Banky Wellington has declared his decision to switch from the Modern Democratic Party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He aims to secure the PDP’s nomination to contest for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.
PERSONAL LIFE
Banky W and Adesua Etomi tied the knot in a traditional ceremony on November 19, 2017, followed by their white wedding in South Africa on November 25, 2017.
During 2017, Banky W had a successful surgery to treat skin cancer on his shoulder.
In early 2021, Banky W and Adesua welcomed a son, surprising many as they had kept the pregnancy a secret.
