Paul Utomi

Paul Utomi
Born
Paul Chibuzo Utomi-Biyang

(1981-10-06) 6 October 1981 (age 45)
Madrid, Spain
CitizenshipNigerian, Equatoguinean
EducationLagos State University
Occupations
Years active2011-present
Known forLekki Wives, O-Town, What Lies Within, Country Hard, The Reckoner
Websitehttps://about.me/paulutomi

Paul Chibuzo Utomi-Biyang (born 6 October 1981) is a Nigerian actor, film director, producer, writer, voice-over artist and model.

Early life and education

Utomi was born to Mr and Mrs Utomi-Biyang in Madrid, Spain. His family moved back to Lagos, Nigeria, when he was one year old. He attended Comfort Nursery and Primary School in Lagos and proceeded to Legacy High School in Akowonjo, Lagos, where he completed his secondary education. He studied economics at Lagos State University, after which he studied acting and directing at the Centre for Film and Video Excellence in 2011.

Career

Acting

Before acting, he wrote for a sports publication called The Game Magazine and presented several episodes of AM Express Sports on NTA Network.

He joined the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood) professionally and began his professional acting career, making his first appearance playing the lead character in the TV series Tarima, which aired circa 2012. The following year, he starred in the TV series Lekki Wives, in which he played the character, Jude.

Directing and producing

In 2017, he co-produced a drama thriller film titled What Lies Within, which won "Best Feature Film" and "Best Overall Picture" at the Abuja International Zuma Film Festival 2017, along with four accolades won at the Best of Nollywood Awards the same year.

His debut feature film as a director, Country Hard, gained recognition when it was selected to showcase at the 10th edition of AFRIFF in 2021.

Utomi's third feature film as a director is the action fantasy film The Reckoner, released in 2021, in which Baaj Adebule plays the lead role.

Filmography

Title Genre Role Year Reference
Lekki Wives TV series Actor 2013
Shuga TV series Actor 2013
Gidi Up Web series Actor 2014
Apostates Short film Actor 2014
O-Town Crime film Actor 2015
In My Father's House Short film Actor 2015
B Negative Short film Actor 2015
Leeway Short film Actor 2016
Heaven Short film Actor 2016
What Lies Within Short film Actor, writer, co-producer 2017
Dognapped Comedy Actor 2017
Living Close to You TV series Actor 2018
Hush TV series Actor 2018
E.V.E TV series Actor 2018
Crossroads Short film Actor 2020
This Lady Called Life Feature film Actor 2020
Tinsel TV series Actor 2020
Juju stories: Yam (Love Portion) Film Actor 2021
Country Hard Film Actor 2021
Finding Hubby Drama film Actor 2021
Clinically Speaking Film Actor 2022
One Too Many Film Actor 2022
Iyanu: Dawn of Thunder Animated series Actor 2023
Love and Light TV series Actor 2023
The Leaders of Tomorrow TV series Actor 2023
The Two Aishas Film Actor 2023
Relationshits Film Writer, director, producer 2015
Country Hard Crime drama film Writer, director, producer 2021
The Reckoner Film Director 2021
Mumu MAN Film Director 2023
Omo Awo Film Director 2023
Say Who Die Film Director 2025

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Category Film Result Ref
2017 The African Film Festival (TAFF) Best Actor Award Family Won
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role (English) What Lies Within Nominated
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Movie of the Year Category What Lies Within Nominated
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Screenplay Category What Lies Within Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Bob-Manuel Udokwu joins Gov Obiano's cabinet". eelive.ng. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  2. ↑ "Paul Utomi debuts official trailer for 'Country Hard'". Pulse Nigeria. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  3. ↑ "Top 15 Nigerian Actors to Watch Out For in 2021". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  4. ↑ "New Nollywood standing on shoulders of older colleagues – Paul Utomi". The Punch. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Tope Tedela, Paul Utomi, debut with What Lies Within". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Paul Chibuzo Utomi". Party Jollof TV. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "Paul Utomi Bio". nollywire.com. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Paul Utomi". Nlist.ng. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Nollywood Blockbuster, 'What Lies Within' To Drop Sept. 8". globalexcellenceonline.com. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  10. ↑ "Lekki Wives TV Series". imdb.com. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Director Biography - Paul Chibuzo Utomi". filmfreeway.com. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  12. ↑ "'What Lies Within' shines at BON Awards 2017". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 20 January 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  13. ↑ Chimezie, Amaka (21 December 2017). "BON Awards: 'What Lies Within' takes four, emerges big winner". Naijalife Magazine. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  14. ↑ "AFRIFF unveils official selection for its 10th edition". Pulse Nigeria. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  15. ↑ "The Reckoner (2021)". allmovie.com. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  16. ↑ "Lekki Wives". Nolly Wire. 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  17. ↑ "Three Month Window Shuga". IMDb. 2015.
  18. ↑ "Nobert Young, Kehinde Bankole, Tope Tedela star in Apostates; to premiere this weekend". ynaija.com.
  19. ↑ "Oris Aigbokhaevbolo: CJ Obasi's 'O-Town' is Overindulgent but Brilliant". bellanaija.com.
  20. ↑ "The New "O-TOWN" Teaser is Here!". afieryfilm.com.
  21. ↑ ""WHAT LIES WITHIN" (THE MOVIE) PREMIERE AUGUST 31ST 2017". societyreporters.com. 2017.
  22. ↑ "4 Reasons why you should pay to see "Dognapped"!!!". xplorenollywood.com. 2017.
  23. ↑ "E.V.E". nollywire.com. 2018.
  24. ↑ "E.V.E - Audi Alteram Partem". IMDb. 2018.
  25. ↑ "Crossroads Review". IMDb. 2020.
  26. ↑ "First Look at Kayode Kasum's "This Lady Called Life" starring Bisola Aiyeola, Wale Ojo, Jemima Osunde". bellanaija.com. 2020.
  27. ↑ "This Lady Called Life - Full Cast & Crew". tvguide.com. 2020.
  28. ↑ "Juju Stories' lands 2022 Nigerian theatrical release". Pulse Nigeria. 2021.
  29. ↑ "Timini Egbuson, Adebukola Oladipupo & Paul Utomi star in Upcoming Anthology Film "Juju Stories"". thelagosreview.ng. 2021.
  30. ↑ "'Country Hard' Review: Paul Utomi's Long Dive in a Sea of Sadness". whatkeptmeup.com. 2021.
  31. ↑ "Finding Hubby? Not Again?". thenollywoodreporter.com. 2021.
  32. ↑ "Clinically Speaking Cast". IMDb. 2022.
  33. ↑ "First Look at the forthcoming film "One Too Many" starring Jide Kosoko, Omowunmi Dada & Dakore Akande". bellanaija.com. 2022.
  34. ↑ "Four Reasons Why Africa Magic's 'Love and Light Series" Is A Must Watch". theforesight.com.ng. 2023.
  35. ↑ "Ramadan Movie: Arabel debuts new movie, 'The Two Aishas'". Voice of Nigeria. 2024.
  36. ↑ "5 Nollywood Films I Thoroughly Enjoyed". thewilldowntown.com. 2021.
  37. ↑ "Paul Utomi Filmography". www.cine.com. 2021.
  38. ↑ "MOVIE REVIEW: 'Say Who Die': Compelling acting overshadowed by inconsistencies". Premium Times. 2025.
  39. ↑ "Say Who Die: Paul Utomi's Excessive Dose Of Suspense". the49thstreet.com. 2025.
  40. ↑ "Winners at the African Film Festival, Dallas". trendyafrica.com. trendyafrica.com. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  41. ↑ "Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Mercy Aigbe, Alexx Ekubo, "The Johnsons"… Here's the Full Nominee List for the 2017 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards". Pulse. bellanaija.com. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  42. ↑ "'Slow Country' and 'What Lies Within' lead BON awards nominations". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  43. ↑ "FULL LIST: 'What Lies Within' lands eight BON Awards nominations". TheCable. Retrieved 22 November 2025.