Don Pedro Obaseki biography – Discover the Nollywood pioneer’s age, wife Uchenna, children, movies like Igodo, net worth, and recent palace incident in comprehensive profile.
Who is Don Pedro Obaseki?
Don Pedro Obaseki stands as one of Nollywood’s founding fathers and a trailblazer in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Born Osaro Pedro Osamudiame Agbonifo Obaseki on April 25, 1967, in Benin City, Edo State, he has built an illustrious career spanning over three decades as a filmmaker, broadcaster, academic, and entrepreneur.
At 58 years old in 2025, Don Pedro remains actively engaged in media entrepreneurship, cultural advocacy, and political discourse. His journey from becoming a university lecturer at age 21 to establishing Nigeria’s first integrated IPTV service demonstrates exceptional versatility and vision. Recently, he made headlines following a controversial incident at the Oba of Benin’s palace on December 28, 2025.
Quick Facts About Don Pedro Obaseki
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Osaro Pedro Osamudiame Agbonifo Obaseki |
| Popular Name | Don Pedro Obaseki, Don-P, The Don |
| Date of Birth | April 25, 1967 |
| Age (2025) | 58 years old |
| Place of Birth | Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria |
| State of Origin | Edo State |
| Wife | Uchenna Obaseki |
| Children | Four (Eki, Osayame, Nosamudia, Oghos) |
| Father | Samson Agbonifo-Obaseki |
| Mother | Sarah Obaseki |
| Famous Relative | Godwin Obaseki (cousin, former Edo Governor) |
| Occupation | Filmmaker, Broadcaster, Entrepreneur, Academic |
| Education | PhD in Performance and Praxis |
| Notable Film | Igodo (1999) |
| Current Role | CEO, ACC Broadcast Multimedia Ltd |
Early Life and Family Heritage
Don Pedro Obaseki was born into the prominent Obaseki family of Benin City on April 25, 1967. His father, Samson Agbonifo-Obaseki, served as Director of the State Internal Revenue Service in the defunct Bendel State, while his mother Sarah Obaseki descended from notable lineages—daughter of Ezomo of Eme-Ora in Northern Edo State and Otota of Kokori in Delta State.
Growing up in various Delta State cities including Warri, Ughelli, and Agbor, alongside his native Benin City, young Pedro experienced diverse cultural environments that would later influence his artistic worldview. The Obaseki family’s influence in Edo State politics and culture provided him with unique perspectives on leadership and community service.
His formative years were spent attending several elementary schools including Ebenezer Primary School in Benin, Iheoma Primary School Agbor, and Oliha Primary School Benin City. This peripatetic educational journey exposed him to different teaching methodologies and social contexts, shaping his adaptive nature.
The Obaseki family’s prominence meant Pedro grew up understanding the weight of legacy and public service. His great-grandfather’s statesmanship, which remained relevant nearly a century after his death in September 1920, instilled in Pedro an appreciation for building lasting impact.
Academic Excellence and Teaching Career
Don Pedro attended the prestigious Unity School, Agbarho, near Warri for his secondary education. He proceeded to the University of Benin where he pursued his undergraduate studies, later earning a doctorate degree in Performance and Praxis from the University of Ibadan.
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Throughout his academic career spanning over three decades, he taught at several universities across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the United States. In 1996, he served as guest lecturer to the Centre for African Studies at Copenhagen University, Denmark. By 2000, he had become a Visiting Professor at Manhattanville College, New York.
His scholarly pursuits never ceased despite his entertainment industry commitments. He served his National Youth Service in Kaduna, where he gained additional perspectives on Northern Nigerian culture and governance.
Pioneering Nollywood Career
Revolutionary Films and Productions
Don Pedro Obaseki’s 1999 epic adventure film “Igodo” became a watershed moment in Nollywood history, earning him the prestigious Director-Of-The-Year award. This groundbreaking production showcased his ability to blend African mythology with modern filmmaking techniques, setting new standards for Nigerian cinema.
His filmography includes notable titles such as “Eziza” (which screened in London and South Africa in 2001), “Love” (2003), “Evil Thing,” “Prisoner of Passion,” “Brave Soldier,” and “Tara.” Each production demonstrated his commitment to authentic African storytelling and technical excellence.
Theatre and Stagecraft Mastery
Don Pedro’s theatrical works have achieved remarkable recognition. His play “OBASEKI – A Historical Play” appears on high school curricula across Nigeria and in Nigerian universities. This work represented Africa at the Euro Culture-City ’96 Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark.
His play “AZAGIDI” toured Scandinavia in February-March 1999 and celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Musicological Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in October 2003. The play later served as the convocation play for the University of Lagos in 2016.
“The BRIDGE” ran at London’s Oval House Theatre in Kennington from October 6-31, 2004, and represented Nigeria at the World International Experimental Drama Festival in Cairo, Egypt in September 2006.
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ACC Broadcast Multimedia
Don Pedro established ACC Broadcast Multimedia Ltd, operators of WAWOOTV, MTN-ACCMobileTV, PIDGIN-TV, and BizFM. His creation of WAWOOTV, Nigeria’s first integrated IPTV service, earned the “Innovative Online Media Company” award at the Nigeria National Innovation Awards in July 2015.
As CEO of ACC, he continues driving Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, positioning himself at the forefront of media technology innovation.
Marriage and Family Life
Don Pedro married Uchenna Obaseki, an accomplished broadcaster, radio production teacher, and National Media Merit Award winner. Uchenna is also a theatre artiste and author of “Radio Production in Nigeria: a Practitioner’s Guide.”
Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Eki, Osayame, Nosamudia, and Oghos. The family maintains strong bonds despite Don Pedro’s demanding professional commitments across multiple industries.
His younger brother, Nosa Obaseki, also works in Nollywood and currently resides in Canada. Another sibling, Iyen Agbonifo, serves as president of the Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN).
Political Aspirations and Controversies
2016 Edo Governorship Race
Don Pedro contested as a governorship aspirant in the 2016 Edo State Governorship Elections, creating significant family tension when he faced his cousin Godwin Obaseki (who eventually won and served as Governor). This political confrontation reportedly led some family elders to disown him temporarily.
Despite not securing the APC nomination and facing legal challenges that disqualified him from other party platforms, Don Pedro maintained his political interests. He founded the Edo Peoples Assembly and currently serves as President-General of the Midwest Movement, advocating for Nigeria’s restructuring and constitutional amendments.
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The attackers claimed his offense stemmed from a London speech where he said “May Edo people live long and prosper” instead of “May the Oba live long and prosper.” Don Pedro maintained that palace chiefs appeared unaware of the attack and that he was later taken to a police station before the Commissioner of Police ordered his release.
This traumatic incident sparked widespread condemnation from human rights activists and social media users, with many questioning the violation of his fundamental rights.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his distinguished career, Don Pedro has received numerous honors:
- Director-Of-The-Year (1999) for “Igodo”
- Oba Erediauwa Award for Excellence (2011 & 2013)
- Nollywood Distinguished Veteran Award (2013)
- Honorary Award for “Service to Nigerian Broadcasting” at National Innovation Awards (July 2015)
- Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Attitudinal Change
- “Innovative Online Media Company” recognition for WAWOOTV (2015)
Net Worth and Business Ventures
While exact figures remain undisclosed, Don Pedro’s net worth derives from multiple revenue streams including film production, broadcast media companies, IPTV services, and agricultural investments through HosaMudia Farms Ltd (where he serves as Chairman/CEO).
His ownership of franchises and proprietary rights to channels like MoviStar (former Channels 333 and 330 on Sky UK) and 1-MIC (a satellite music channel) contributes significantly to his wealth portfolio.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Don Pedro Obaseki’s contributions to Nigerian entertainment cannot be overstated. As one of Nollywood’s pioneers, he helped establish production standards, distribution networks, and marketing strategies that continue benefiting the industry today.
His plays remain part of educational curricula, ensuring new generations engage with his artistic vision. His advocacy for Edo-Delta indigenous peoples’ welfare and constitutional restructuring demonstrates commitment to broader societal transformation beyond entertainment.
