I fooled schoolmates by pretending not to understand Yoruba — David Oyelowo

By Folashade Olorunfemi –

British-Nigerian actor and filmmaker David Oyelowo has recalled how he once used the misconception that he could not understand Yoruba to his advantage while attending boarding school in Nigeria.

Speaking recently on the One54 Africa Podcast, the filmmaker recounted how his foreign accent led many of his schoolmates to assume he did not understand the language, allowing him to listen in on conversations about himself without their knowledge.

According to him, he chose not to correct the misconception and instead used it to his advantage throughout his time at the school.

Oyelowo revealed that the situation even helped him navigate his social life, including dating twins at the same time without them knowing.

“I was like 12 or 13. For two years, every girl who liked me, I would hear them talking, and that was how I ended up dating twins at the same time.

“The day I was leaving the school, I went round speaking Yoruba to everyone and their faces — they were so shocked, and I was just laughing,” he said.

Oyelowo was born in Oxford, England, to Nigerian parents. His father, Stephen Oyelowo, is from Oyo State in South-West Nigeria, while his mother is of Igbo descent from South-East Nigeria.

David Oyelowo is an actor, producer and director best known for his portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 biographical drama Selma. He is also recognised for his roles in The Butler, Queen of Katwe and Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and for his commitment to telling African stories on the global stage.