Shawn Faqua

Shawn Faqua
CitizenshipNigerian
Alma materUniversity of Port Harcourt
OccupationsActor, model, presenter
Known forVincent in Lagos Cougars
Notable workLagos Cougars

Shawn Faqua (/ˈfækwə/ FAK-wə; born 6 June) is a Nigerian actor,[1][2] model and presenter. He is known for playing the role of Vincent in Lagos Cougars, as Rambo in Dare Olaitan's Ojukokoro and Chuks in Emem Isong's Code of Silence. His performance in Lagos Cougars earned him four award nominations across Africa including Best Young/Promising Actor at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[3]

Education

Faqua studied at the University of Port Harcourt[4] where he obtained a degree in electrical engineering.[5] He began modelling, appearing in billboards and hosting several shows along with stage acting, directing, choreography and singing.[6][7]

In 2012, Faqua obtained a certificate in acting from the Nollywood Upgrade Training in affiliation with the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University. In 2014, he transitioned to acting full time.[8][9]

Career

Faqua is a method actor and is known for researching roles and accents as required by character he portrays. In Charles Novia's Put a Ring on it,[10] Faqua plays the female character Cleopatra and also portrays the character Peter.[11] Many of the productions he has been featured in address themes such as love, politics, culture, human rights,[12][13] conflict, rape,[14] betrayal, selfless service and sacrifice.

Faqua has appeared in Africa Magic's Out of the Ghetto (2015), After the Proposal (2015), Oasis (TV series), Red Card (2015), The Twin Sword (2014), A Love Like Ours (2011), Four Crooks and a Rookie (2011), Ebony Life's A New You (2013)[15] and others.

Besides screen acting, Faqua has performed in several stage plays. He has modelled for Lagos Business School, Guaranty Trust Bank, First City Monument Bank, fashion shows and other organisations.[16] He also recorded a song for the short film, The Good Life, performing the original soundtrack titled "I wan blow".

Charity

Faqua has been involved with charity work since 2004 and has supported the Nigerian Red Cross. He was an executive of the Youth Against HIV and AIDS in collaboration with the then first lady of Nigeria Stella Obasanjo[17] and the NUGA games which focused on educating youths about voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV. Faqua was also the president of the Youth Against Drug Abuse and Child Trafficking (YAWAT) in Abuja. In 2016, he partnered with the Nigerian Army on the Fallen Heroes project appearing in the short film Separated.[18]

Other works

Faqua has been featured on talk shows such as Heart of the Matter,[19] Twitchat with Blecyn[20] and Tribe Stories among others. He has also hosted shows like Urban Royale magazine launch and Retro 52, an independence day event. He has expressed interest in youth engagement and social advocacy through entertainment.

Personal life

Faqua has stated that he is drawn to roles that are dramatic, challenging, cheesy, intense and comical.[10][21] He enjoys reading, dancing, playing tennis, traveling and watching films. He resides in Lagos.

Selected filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Last Ritual
2011 A love like ours
Four crooks and a Rookie Lune
2012 Lagos cougars Vincent
Gidi up Series
2013 After the proposal
A New You Wale
Render to Caesar
2014 Acquired taste Short film
Oasis KK Series
2015 Red Card
Out of the Ghetto
2016 Head over Heels Series
Ojukokoro Rambo
Zahra Jacob
Esohe Prince
2017 In Line Steve
The Door
Sugar Boy
August visitor
Mascara Series
3some Williams
No way out Bovi
2018 King of Boys Alaaru
God Calling
2019 Three Thieves Oreva
Living in bondage: Breaking Free Tobie Nworie
2020 Witches Leke
2021 Soole Driver
2022 The Blood Covenant Osiano
2023 The House of Secrets Panam
2023 Osato Jungle
2024 Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Bekolari Ransome-Kuti Biography / Drama / Romance
2024 Shina [22] AY

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2014 Africa Movie Academy Award Best Young Actor Lagos Cougar Nominated [23]
Nollywood Movies Awards Best Rising Star Nominated [24]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated [25]
Golden Icons Academy Movie Award Most Promising Actor N/a Nominated
2015 Golden Movie Awards Golden Supporting Actor (Drama) Nominated
2017 World Music & Independent Film Festival Best Supporting Actor 3 some Nominated [26]
2018 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role – Yoruba Personal Assistant Won [27]
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Actor in A Comedy Soole Nominated [28][29]

See also

References

  1. ^ Odumade, Omotolani. "Celebrity Birthdays: Adunni Ade, Yomi Fash Lanso, Shawn Faqua, Juliana Olayode are a year older today". Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Entertainers shouldn't depend on awards for validation — Shawn Faqua". Punch Newspapers. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. ^ Orenuga, Adenike A. (26 May 2014). "AMAA 2014: Clarion Chukwurah, Patience Ozokwor win big – See full list of winners". Daily Post. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  4. ^ Odumade, Omotolani. "#ManCrushMonday: Shawn Faqua has too much sauce". Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Birthday Shout! Celebrating Nollywood's Shawn Faqua – Online Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine in Nigeria". happenings.com.ng. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Linda Ejofor, Kiki Omeili, Belinda Ettah, Shawn Faqua & Others Cover 'La Mode Magazine' - OnoBello.com". onobello.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Biography/Profile/History Of Nollywood Actor Shawn Faqua – Daily Media Nigeria". dailymedia.com.ng. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Shawn Faqua Archives – The Nation Nigeria". The Nation Nigeria. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Adesua Etomi, Chris Attoh, Tina Mba, Shawn Faqua to satr in movie, "In Line," set to hit cinemas". Glam Africa. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  10. ^ a b Put a Ring on It (2016), retrieved 10 September 2017
  11. ^ Put a Ring on It (2016), retrieved 10 September 2017
  12. ^ "politics". Archived from the original on 27 May 2015.
  13. ^ "Film: Zahra – Rise Up". www.riseuptogether.org. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Patience Ozokwor, Segun Arinze, Shawn Faqua & More star in Nollywood Drama "Zahra" | Watch the Trailer – BellaNaija". www.bellanaija.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  15. ^ KC Ejelonu (20 December 2014), A New You – Starring Kc Ejelonu, Shawn Faqua, Diana Yekini and Deyemi Okanlawon, retrieved 10 September 2017
  16. ^ "Meet Shawn Faqua the Handsome Actor loaded with talent..." judithaudu.blogspot.co.uk (Blog). Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  17. ^ Olajire, Ademola (4 August 2004). "Nigeria: Nuga Gets Presidential Backing". Vanguard (Lagos). Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  18. ^ Shawn Faqua (8 August 2017), Separated – shortfilm, retrieved 10 September 2017 – via YouTube
  19. ^ HotM Channel (11 August 2017), On Becoming Men, retrieved 10 September 2017
  20. ^ "Actor Shawn Faqua Speaks On "Partners Living Together Before Marriage"..." 14 July 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017 – via Medium.
  21. ^ "5 Hot Actors to Look Out For in 2014". www.nollywoodaccess.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  22. ^ Adesokun, Muyiwa; Ike-Okoro, Carmen Lilian (14 June 2024), Shina (Crime), Timini Egbuson, Linda Ejiofor, Tope Tedela, Film Trybe, retrieved 17 December 2024
  23. ^ "African Movie Academy Awards winners". www.screenafrica.com. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  24. ^ "Nollywood Movies Awards". www.nollywoodmoviesawards.tv. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  25. ^ "Full Nominees List Of Nigeria Entertainment Awards [Nea Awards] 2014". Wadupnaija. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  26. ^ "World Music & Independent Film Festival". World Music & Independent Film Festival. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  27. ^ "BON Awards 2018: Mercy Aigbe, Tana Adelana shine at 10th edition". Pulse Nigeria. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  28. ^ "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  29. ^ Oladotun, Shola-Adido (15 May 2022). "AMVCA 2022: Rattlesnake, Ramsey Nouah, Funke Akindele win- (FULL WINNERS LIST)". Premium Times. Retrieved 21 December 2025.