Nigerian actress, film producer, and entrepreneur Jaiye Kuti, born on 10 July 1969 in Ilaro, Ogun State, is the founder and CEO of Jaylex Aesthetic Production. She has been married to businessman Lanre Kuti since 2000 and is known for her roles in The Grudge and Mofe Ni Mofe. Her 2024 cinema debut as a producer, Blacksmith: Alagbede, grossed over ₦103.7 million at the Nigerian box office.
Early Life and Family Background
Jaiye Kuti was born in Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria. Her father, Rufus Adisa Oluwale, worked at NITEL and served as a pastor at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. He died in 2015 from diabetes and kidney problems.
She began her education at Sunshine Primary School before transferring to Temidire Primary School when her father moved. She attended Ikorodu High School, later studied secretarial administration at Ilaro Federal Polytechnic in Ogun State, and earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Lagos. She also holds an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Prowess University in Delaware, United States.
Career Milestones
Her professional acting career began in 2014 with the television series Tales of Eve: Caged. She appeared in Ifedolapo (2015) as Richard's mother and played Olori Asake in Kabiosi (2015).
She founded Jaylex Aesthetic Production in 2006, a company specialising in television and film production. Through it, she produced Ewon Laafin, an early breakthrough in her producing career. In 2024, she made her cinema debut as a producer with Blacksmith: Alagbede, which grossed over ₦103.7 million at the Nigerian box office, her most significant commercial achievement to date.
Filmography and Other Ventures
Her film credits include King of Lamba (2026), Jayeola Monje The Anniversary (2026), The Herd (2025), Family Brouhaha (2025), Ewo (Forbidden) (2022), My Home (Ile Mi) (2021), Progressive Tailors Club (2021), PLOY (Etan) (2021), Mofe Ni Mofe (2021), Last Card (2020), Ero Mi (2020), Mosadoluwa (2020), A Thousand Ways to Break a Cheating Man (2020), The Reunion (Fojo Media) (2019), Wife Package (2018), Evil Deeds (2016), Omoge Lekki (2016), The Grudge (2016), Arewa Okunrin (2016), Ewon Laafin (2015), Kabiosi (2015), Ifedolapo (2015), and Tales of Eve: Caged (2014).
Besides the film industry, Jaiye has worked as a secretary for C.Ray Company Limited, a Lagos-based automobile company owned by her husband. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of TerraHive Properties Limited, a real estate company she launched in July 2025 that controls land, luxury estates, and commercial properties across Nigeria.
Personal Life and Clarifications
Her husband is Lanre Kuti, CEO of C.Ray Company Limited. They married in 2000 and have two children: daughter Anastasia Kuti (born 9 September 2009) and son Mayowa Kuti (born 30 August 2001).
Following a photograph of Jaiye and Fuji singer Wasiu Alabi Pasuma in traditional attire, rumours spread that they were married. Jaiye clarified that the images came from the film Jaiyeola Monje, in which they acted as a married couple. She said during her feature on the cover of Achievers Orient magazine in 2019: "I am not married to Pasuma. I am married to the Kutis. What exists between us is mutual friendship — and those photos are from our movie."
Net Worth and Recent Statements
There is no verified, public, or officially audited figure of her net worth from financial outlets. Her income comes from acting fees in Nollywood film and television, film production revenues through Jaylex Aesthetic Production, brand endorsements and ambassadorial deals, and her role at C.Ray Company Limited.
In July 2026, Jaiye Kuti publicly criticised what she described as performative support among Nollywood colleagues. She explained that she stopped wishing industry peers happy birthday after receiving little solidarity when one of her films was pulled from cinemas. During an interview on the Oyinmomo TV Podcast, she noted: "I stopped wishing people happy birthday because I don't want anyone to wish me one. Please don't."
