Moses Olaiya (18 May 1936 – 7 October 2018), popularly known by his stage name “Baba Sala”, was a renowned Nigerian comedian, dramatist, and actor. He was born in Ilesha, Southwest Nigeria, and grew up in colonial Nigeria, living in various Northern provinces like Jos and Kano as his family moved often.
As a young boy, Olaiya was known for his mischievous behavior and penchant for dressing outlandishly to entertain people. Despite his parents’ wishes for him to pursue a more traditional professional career like medicine or law, Olaiya gravitated towards the entertainment industry.
Olaiya initially worked as a health inspector for the Lagos City Council, but his passion for the arts led him to form a musical group called the Federal Rhythm Dandies, which included a young Sunny Ade as a member. He later transitioned from music to drama, writing and staging plays in the style of earlier genre pioneers like Ogunde and Ladipo.
Seeking to carve out a unique niche, Olaiya eventually turned to comedy and founded the Alawada group. In 1965, the group gained widespread recognition when they won a contest organized by Western Nigeria Television, leading to the creation of a TV show that featured their popular comedy sketches.
Olaiya’s most iconic character was that of “Baba Sala”, a pensioner who often wore comically oversized and tattered clothing, including a table clock as a wristwatch. This character would go on to become Olaiya’s signature on both the small and big screen.
In 1982, Olaiya made his feature film debut in the critically acclaimed “Ọ̀run Móoru”, directed by Ola Balogun and co-produced by Olaiya himself. He reprised his “Baba Sala” character as a man who loses his wealth to greed and the advice of a dubious traditional healer. The film was well-received, but its box office success was hampered by widespread bootlegging.
Undeterred, Olaiya went on to direct and produce his next film, “Aare Agbaye”, in 1983, further cementing his status as a pioneering figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Moses Olaiya, the legendary “Baba Sala”, passed away on October 7, 2018, at the age of 82, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Nigeria’s most beloved and influential comedic actors.
