Deza the Great is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, business advisor, and former banker. He has starred in numerous movies, including Role Play (2022), Hot Mess (2023), Love and the CEO (2023), and Hell & Fury (2024). In September 2023, he left Sterling Bank Plc to focus full-time on acting and filmmaking. Deza hails from the Yoruba tribe and has amassed a significant fortune from his entertainment career.
Key Takeaways
- Deza The Great's real name is Adekanla Aderinola Desalu.
- He was born on 7 November 1980 in Lagos State, Nigeria.
- Deza holds a B.Sc. in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos and an MBA in Artificial Intelligence from Nexford University.
- He has been married to Mrs Desalu for over 16 years and has two daughters, the eldest of whom is Lizzy Desalu.
Profile Summary
- Full name: Adekanla Aderinola Desalu
- Nickname: Deza the Great
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 7 November 1980
- Age: 45 years (as of May 2026)
- Zodiac: Scorpio
- Place of birth: Lagos State, Nigeria
- Current residence: Lagos, Nigeria
- Ethnicity: Black (Yoruba)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Sexuality: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Height: 5’10’’ (178 cm)
- Hair colour: Brown
- Eye colour: Dark brown
- Marital status: Married
- Children: 2
- Education: University of Lagos and Nexford University
- Profession: Actor, filmmaker, business advisor, and former banker
- Instagram: @dezathegreat
Deza the Great's Biography
Deza the Great is the stage name of Adekanla Aderinola Desalu, a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, television host, and former banker. He is known for appearing in films such as Big Love, Hell & Fury, Love in Lagos, and Role Play. Before becoming a household Nollywood figure, Deza worked in Nigeria’s corporate sector.
How Old is Deza?
Deza the Great's age is 45 years old as of May 2026. He was born on 7 November 1980 in Lagos State, Nigeria, making his zodiac sign Scorpio. He was raised in Lagos before eventually turning his full attention to Nollywood.
Deza the Great's Tribe
Deza the Great was born and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian national of African heritage and belongs to the Yoruba tribe, one of Nigeria's three largest ethnic groups. His mother is a teacher, and he has a sister named Morin Jide-Ibironke.
How Much is Deza the Great's Net Worth?
There is no official publication on the actor's net worth. However, an online source estimates he is worth around $500,000, primarily earned from his Nollywood career and his former decade-long banking career.
Educational Background
After completing his secondary school education in Nigeria, the Nollywood star enrolled at the University of Lagos. He graduated with a Second-Class Upper Division Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science in 2002. The Nollywood star later attended Nexford University, where he pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence.
Career Highlights
Deza the Great is one of the rare Nollywood actors who did not begin his career in entertainment. He started in the corporate world in 2005 at Globacom (Glo), where he served as a customer care consultant and later as a business developer in the Commercial Roaming Department. After more than three years at Glo, he moved to Sterling Bank Plc, formerly Equatorial Trust Bank. He first started as a business process analyst before rising to the position of Regional Client Engagement Officer. In September 2023, Deza made the bold decision to leave Sterling Bank to pursue filmmaking and acting full-time.
Acting
The former banker made his screen debut in 2010 with the television series Catwalq, in which he portrayed Barry. He continued to take on roles while working in banking, eventually appearing in more than 150 films. His profile rose sharply after 2021. 2023 was Deza's first full year as a dedicated actor. That year, he appeared in several productions, including Hot Mess (as Zino Donaldson), Love and the CEO (as Dammy), Big Love (as Amir), and Love in Lagos (as Damin). He has also produced multiple films. As The Guardian Nigeria noted in a 2024 feature: "Different roles, different interpretations, Deza the Great has been able to show the world the different side of his creativity. With more than twenty movies to his credit in 2024, there is no doubt that he has exceptionally shown to the world the mettle he is made of." Below is a list of some of the productions Deza has appeared in, as per his IMDB profile.
- 2023: No Way Through (Jayjay)
- 2023: Bamikale
- 2023: Pink or Blue
- 2023: Unusual Arrangement (Obi)
- 2023: Wasted (Festus)
- 2023: In Your Heart (Rema)
- 2023: Thirst Trap (Odogwu)
- 2023: Silly Mistake (Bryan)
- 2023: Hot Mess (Zino Donaldson)
- 2023: Big Love (Amir)
- 2023: Love in Lagos (Damin)
- 2023: Cloud 9 (Eddy)
- 2023: Love and the CEO (Dammy)
- 2023: A Passionate Love Affair (Ade)
- 2022: The Tenant (Francis)
- 2022: The Geral Manager
- 2022: Role Play (Ezeh)
- 2022: The Weddig Plan (Ebuka)
- 2022: Something Fishy (Obinna)
- 2021: False Doors (Doctor Zik)
- 2021: Unshaken (Donald)
- 2021: Situationship (Jide)
- 2020: Mine (Bailey)
- 2020: Two Wrongs (Tobi)
- 2020: Becca's List
- 2020: Love Duty (Ivor Aghofure)
- 2015: Fine Girl (Barry)
- 2012: Broken Silence (Mofe)
- 2012-2013: Catwalq (Barry)
Is Deza the Great Married?
Deza the Great's wife is Mrs Desalu, and the two have been married for about 18 years as of 2026. The couple married in 2008 and have kept their family life firmly out of the spotlight.
How Old is Deza the Great's Wife?
Deza the Great's wife's name is not known publicly, and neither is her age. She is reported to be a successful businesswoman.
Who are Deza the Great's Children?
The Nollywood actor and his wife are blessed with two children, both girls. Their eldest daughter is Lizzy Desalu, who was born on 8 November 2008. Deza the Great's wife and kids rarely appear on his social media, consistent with his deliberate approach to privacy. He has spoken warmly about his family as a source of motivation and inspiration in his career.
Deza the Great's Tattoo Meaning
Deza the Great has three known tattoos, each carrying personal significance. He has two Arabic script tattoos, one on each bicep. These inscriptions are the names of his two daughters. The tattoos are a quiet but powerful tribute to the family he has chosen to shield from the public eye. He also has a scorpion tattoo on his chest. Given that his zodiac sign is Scorpio, it is presumed that the tattoo may be a nod to his birth sign, though this remains speculative.
FAQs
Who is Deza the Great? He is a Nigerian actor, filmmaker, business advisor, TV host, and brand influencer.
Is Deza the Great married? Yes, he has been married to his wife, Mrs Desalu, for close to two decades.
What is Deza the Great's tribe? He is Yoruba from Lagos State.
What is Deza the Great's real name? His real name is Adekanla Aderinola Desalu.
Where is Nosa Rex from? Since the actor frequently appears in films alongside Nosa Rex, fans often ask about the latter's origins. Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, also known as Baba Rex, is from Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Who is the most educated actor in Nigeria? Among the most academically distinguished performers in Nollywood are Helen Paul and Joke Muyiwa, both PhD holders. On the other hand, Ufuoma McDermott holds a Master's degree in Public and International Affairs, while Deza the Great holds a BSc in Actuarial Science and an MBA in Artificial Intelligence.
Deza the Great is a compelling example of a Nigerian professional who chose passion over security. Having built a solid decade-long career in banking and corporate communications, he walked away from a steady salary in September 2023 to pursue his love of storytelling through film, and the results have been remarkable.
