{"id":285818,"date":"2019-08-13T00:40:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T00:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nigerianfinder.com\/?p=285818"},"modified":"2019-08-13T06:40:59","modified_gmt":"2019-08-13T05:40:59","slug":"banky-w","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nigerianfinder.com\/banky-w\/","title":{"rendered":"Banky-W: Biography, Net worth, Career, Family and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Who is Banky-W- Early Life and History<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banky-W is a popular Nigerian rapper, singer, actor, and musician. His real name is Olubankole Wellington. He was born on the 27th<\/sup> of March 1981 in the United States to Nigerian parents. However, his family moved back to Nigeria when he was five years old. He started singing at a young age in his church choir. His primary and secondary school education was in\u00a0Lagos<\/a>\u00a0and he returned abroad to further his tertiary education at\u00a0Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York on a scholarship as an Engineering student.<\/p>\n

\"Banky-W\"<\/p>\n

Banky-W: Biography, Net worth, Career, Family and more<\/strong><\/h2>\n

He started his record label E.M.E in 2002 while studying. In 2009, he left the US for Nigeria and established his record label in Lagos where he signed artists like\u00a0Niyola,\u00a0Shaydee<\/a>,\u00a0Skales<\/a>, and\u00a0Wizkid<\/a>\u00a0to the label at the time. His big break debut studio album,\u00a0Back in the Building<\/em>\u00a0was released in 2005.\u00a0He wrote the first and popular theme song of Etisalat Nigeria titled “0809ja for life”.<\/p>\n

On February 15, 2013, a day after Valentine, he launched his new album called “R&BW” with a concert tagged the “Grand Love Concert” at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island<\/a>,\u00a0Lagos<\/a>. At the concert, he featured several other record artistes including Iyanya and\u00a0Waje<\/a>. The first two singles on the album which also gained popularity are “Lowkey” and “Yes\/No<\/a>. This makes Banky-W the poster boy for Nigerian R&B music. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2017: Dissolution of E.M.E\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banky W announced in February 2018 that\u00a0E.M.E<\/a>\u00a0was dissolved as a record label; he said the label is now a talent management company focused on creative marketing, advertising, PR and brand events. \u00a0Banky W also announced\u00a0DJ Xclusive<\/a>,\u00a0Ebuka Obi-Uchendu<\/a>,\u00a0Tolu ‘Toolz’ Oniru<\/a>, and his wife\u00a0Adesua Etomi<\/a> (all celebrities)\u00a0as the first set of clients of the rebranded company. This goes to show that the best is yet to come from Banky-W. Following Banky-W\u2019s growth over the years serves as a source of inspiration to many.<\/p>\n

Political Career of Banky-W\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives. He was going to do this on the platform of Modern Democratic Party, formed in 2017.<\/p>\n

Later in an interview with Punch, Banky-W said he ventured into politics because of his desire to impact and improve his community and the desire to be a part of the progress all Nigerians wanted to see.<\/p>\n

While many were skeptical of his move into politics, Banky-W received as much support from fans especially youths. Whether they indeed bought into his vision and thought him competent or they voted for him out of loyalty to his art is what we might never know.<\/p>\n

However, on February 23rd, 2019, Banky Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress.<\/p>\n

Personal Life of Banky-W<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banky-W got married to\u00a0Adesua Etomi<\/a>\u00a0traditionally on 19 November 2017 and subsequently did his\u00a0white wedding<\/a>\u00a0in South Africa on 25 November 2017. His relationship with Adesua was a pleasant surprise to many. Haven successfully kept their relationship a secret from the Social Media space, they both acted as couples in a popular movie titled, \u2018Wedding party\u2019 which further heightened the surprise to Nigerians when their relationship was announced. Banky-W is also loved by many because he does not have the \u2018baby mama drama\u2019 so accustomed to many other celebrities.<\/p>\n

Banky-W also had a successful skin cancer surgery on his shoulder in 2017.<\/p>\n

Net worth of Banky-W\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banky-W makes money from the monetization of his content shared on various platforms like\u00a0iTunes\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Spinet. Ring Back Tunes (RBT)\u00a0<\/strong>loyalties also add to his income. After the release of Ebute Metta, Banky W landed his first endorsement deal with\u00a0Etisalat\u00a0<\/strong>in 2008.\u00a0Constative\u00a0<\/strong>reports that this deal was worth N150 million. After becoming a brand ambassador for the Nigerian telecommunications company, he featured in their popular commercial, 0809ja for life.<\/p>\n

The R&B pop star became the new face of\u00a0Coca-cola\u00a0<\/strong>Open and Win campaign after signing for an unknown figure. The 2012 deal lasted for three months.<\/p>\n

He signed his major endorsement deal with\u00a0Samsung Electronics West Africa\u00a0<\/strong>in 2013. According to\u00a0Ventures Africa,\u00a0<\/strong>this deal was valued at about N140 million. This was after his initial 1-year endorsement deal with the company in 2011. The 2013 deal was renewed in 2017.<\/p>\n

In 2014, the\u00a0E.M.E record label boss switched telecommunication companies when he signed with\u00a0MTN.<\/strong>\u00a0It is believed to be valued at over N50 million, according to Constative. He\u00a0extended the contract\u00a0in 2015.<\/p>\n

The Nation<\/strong>\u00a0reported that he signed a new endorsement deal to be the ambassador of\u00a0Ciroc Nigeria\u00a0<\/strong>in 2014. Reportedly, it should be worth about N30 million. His deal to represent the brand was\u00a0renewed in 2015 and later in 2017.<\/p>\n

Banky’s latest deal is with\u00a0Uber,<\/strong>\u00a0a major ride-hailing technology in the country. This was announced on April 5, 2018. Banky-W\u2019s Net worth is estimated to be #2.3 billion naira by Forbes.<\/p>\n

Philanthropy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Banky W gives back to the society with \u2018I Am Capable\u2019- a scholarship fund aimed at helping out smart students with tertiary scholarships. He is also one of the major advocates for the \u2018LightupNigeria\u2019 project aimed at achieving a steady power supply in Nigeria.<\/p>\n

Awards and Nominations of Banky-W\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here is a list of Awards and Nominations of the Singer<\/p>\n