Banky W is the stage name of Olubankole Wellington, a Nigerian-American musician, rapper, actor, entrepreneur, and politician. He is a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry. Banky is the founder and CEO of Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He is the House of Representative candidate for the People’s Democratic Party in the 2023 general election in Lagos State.

            Banky’s Profile 

Full Name	Olubankole Wellington
Stage Name	Banky W
Date of Birth	27 March 1981 (Age 41)
Spouse	Adesua Etomi
Place of Birth	United States of America
State of Origin	Lagos State, Nigeria
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Pastor, Actor, Rapper, Politician.
Active Years	2002- Till date
Net Worth	$9 million
Social Media Handle	Instagram bankwellington Twitter @bankwellington

 

Early Life and Education

Olubankole Wellington was born on March 27, 1981, in the United States to Mr. George Bankole Wellington and Mrs. Wellington into a family of five ( 3 brothers and 1 sister). His father is from Badary in Lagos State, and his mother is from Calabar, Cross River State. The moment he was five, his family left for Nigeria.

Wellington attended Corona Primary School, Home Science Association Secondary School, and Ajao Secondary School, all in Lagos, before returning to complete his undergraduate studies on scholarship at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, USA. While still a student in 2002, he founded the musical company Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He departed the US for Nigeria in 2009, where he founded his record label in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Career

Banky started working while he was studying in the United States with GlobalSpec. He started his musical career while still studying, although he began singing at a young age in his church choir. Back in the Building, his first studio album, was released in 2005. His first single, Ebute Metta, was a hit. He composed “0809ja for life,” the first Etisalat Nigeria theme song. 

He established another record label in the city of Lagos in 2009 after relocating from the US. He started by signing various Nigerian musicians, including Shaydee, Skales, Niyola, and Wizkid. At the Grand Love Concert at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, on February 15, 2013, he debuted his R&BW. The artist announced the closure of the E.M.E record label in February 2018. The record label was changed into a talent agency. It focuses on branding, events, public relations, marketing, and advertising.

Acting is another skill and passion that Banky W has. He has been a hit in five different Nigerian films, the most well-known of which is “The Wedding Party,” in which he co-starred with his wife, Adesua Etomi.

Political career

On November 11, 2018, Wellington declared his intention to run on the Modern Democratic Party’s platform for the Lagos-Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives. Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress defeated Wellington in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency Elections on February 23, 2019.

In order to fulfil his ambition to run for the Lagos-Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives once more, Wellington declared his defection from the Modern Democratic Party to the People’s Democratic Party prior to the 2023 general election.

Personal Life

On November 19, 2017, Wellington married Adesua Etomi in the traditional manner; on November 25, 2017, the pair had their white wedding celebrated in South Africa. In 2017, he underwent successful surgery for skin cancer on his shoulder.

Wellington and Adesua had a son at the beginning of 2021. They kept the pregnancy secret, which caught many people off guard when the kid was finally born.

Impact and Influence

With his “I Am Capable” scholarship foundation, Banky W gives back to the community by providing tertiary scholarships for deserving kids. He is also among the leading proponents of the “LightupNigeria” project, which aims to provide a consistent supply of electricity in Nigeria.

Discography

Albums

• Undeniable (2003)
• Back in the Building (2006)
• Mr Capable (2008)
• The W Experience (2009)
• Empire Mates State of Mind (2012)
• R&BW (2013)
• Songs About You (2017)

Extended Plays

Undeniable (2003)

Playlists

• Songs About You (2017)
• Compilation albums
• Empire Mates State of Mind (2012)

Singles

Banky W has a lot of songs to his credit, some of which are listed below;

• 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

Filmography

• Dulce Dinero
• The Wedding Party (2016)
• The Wedding Party 2 (2017)
• Up North (2018)
• Sugar Rush (2019)

Awards and Nominations

• John Lennon Song Writing Award 2006, R&B Category, for ‘My Regret’
• Best R&B Artist, Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2006
• Best Male R&B Artist, Urban Independent Music Awards, USA, 2006
• Best International Album, Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2007 for ‘Mr. Capable’
• Best R&B Video, Nigerian Music Video Awards 2008 for ‘Don’t Break My Heart.’
• Best Male Vocal Performance, Hip-hop World Awards, for ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ (2009)
• R&B Single of the year, Hip Hop World Awards for ‘Strong Ting’ (2010 )
• Best R&B Singer (Male) and Best Music Video, City People Entertainment Awards (2010)
• Best Music Video (Male) at Sound City Music Video Awards (2010)
• Most Gifted R&B Video (Male), Channel O Music Video Awards (2011)
• Musician of the Year, Future Awards (2011)
• Best R&B Single, The Headies Awards (2013)
• Music Entrepreneur of the Year at Awesome Awards (2015)
• Artist of the Year, The Urban Marketplace (2016)

Net Worth

One of the wealthiest musicians in Nigeria is Banky W. Over the years, his career and riches have both gradually increased. His estimated net worth is $9 million.

Social Media Handle

Instagram: bankwellington
Twitter: @bankwellington