Wumi Tuase-Fosudo is a Nigerian actor, content creator, and film producer with a strong background in fashion and media.
She gained recognition as Omosewa in Africa Magic’s hit telenovela Itura and has featured in projects like Unscripted, Alli Eid Dinner, and Summer Rain, and others across streaming platforms, stage, and cinema.
With over a decade of experience in content creation and brand collaborations, Wumi has worked with top fashion and lifestyle brands to produce high-quality, engaging content for women in their 20s and 30s. She also served as the pioneer fashion editor for Marie Claire Nigeria.
Holding a BSc and MSc in Mass Communication with a specialization in PR, she combines creativity and strategic storytelling in her work. She recently ventured into film production, with her debut web series- The Struggle Is Real on YouTube..She shares her experience in this interview with some media houses with Church Times in attendance
Let’s have a peep into your background. How was growing up like?
I was 15 when I got into university, and I think that says a lot about how my life has unfolded- always full of ideas, and big dreams. But before that, I was just a little girl growing up in a modest home with two very dedicated parents. My mum was a teacher, my dad a journalist. We weren’t wealthy, but we had a lot of love, and faith. They always ensured I had the best and I appreciate that. That foundation shaped me.
I’m an only child, but my parents didn’t raise me like one. There were no shortcuts. If anything, they were more intentional about teaching me discipline and sacrifice. I grew up in an environment where love was abundant, but so was responsibility. I had to grow up fast, but I can see now that I needed to because it prepared me for the life I have now.
Boarding school at Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu built my independence and gave me early lessons in resilience. From there, I moved on to Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo—still far from home—which further toughened me up. I built good relationships and enjoyed my time in school to the best of my ability.
Then, while working a full-time job and running a fashion business, I earned a master’s degree from the University of Lagos. It wasn’t an easy route, but I’m glad because every step added something valuable to who I am today.
Through it all, my parents made sure I understood the importance of faith. God has been at the center of my journey, and I know I couldn’t have come this far without that relationship. I grew up loved, guided, and prepared, and for that, I’m truly grateful.
So what was your ambition as a young girl?
As a child, I had two dreams: I wanted to be an actor and a media girl. I didn’t know how those dreams would happen, but I knew they were mine. My dad being a journalist definitely influenced my love for the media. It was fast paced and mentally challenging, and I would watch him work and think, “This is so cool, I want to see my work in the media too.”
And then there was fashion, that was my mum’s quiet superpower. She used to sketch the designs for our clothes, and I would watch or sometimes make suggestions. I think it sparked my own creativity. For a while, I thought I’d grow up to become a fashion designer. I even released a collection with a friend some years ago and the reception was really great. I have always loved fashion, beauty, and how people express themselves through style.
Now, things have fallen in place. I’m an actor, a digital content creator, a freelance public relations consultant and also the Fashion & Beauty Editor at Marie Claire Nigeria. It feels like all the seeds that were quietly planted in my childhood found a way to bloom, sometimes not how I expected, but always exactly when I needed them to. I honestly believe that when something is destined, nothing can stop it.
Let’s talk about when you left school till now. How will you chronicle your industry engagements so far?
It’s been 17 years since I entered university at 15, and over a decade since I graduated, and to be honest, it’s been quite a journey. It hasn’t been a straight line, but it’s been incredibly purposeful.
After earning my BSc in Mass Communication, I explored everything the media world had to offer. I started out in print, moved into broadcast, then worked with public relations agencies before fully embracing digital media. Along the way, I built and ran a fashion blog for about six years, and also co-founded one of Nigeria’s earliest online thrift stores—Thrift Store NG—which ran for just as long.
During that time, I did a lot of things. I worked in customer service at Metropolitan Motors, a Toyota dealership and rose to the position of manager. I modeled, styled clients, and managed influencers for campaigns. I created content before “content creator” became a buzzword, simply because I enjoyed sharing my life, especially fashion and lifestyle, with people in a way that felt relatable and real.
Acting was always there in the background, a quiet passion I kept returning to. I acted as a child and dabbled in it through auditions and referrals, but life was busy and the timing never quite aligned. Then in 2022, things shifted. I was working as a freelance content creator and couldn’t give my thrift business the attention it needed. Money was tight, and I was living with a friend just trying to find my next move.
That’s when I heard about auditions for an Africa Magic epic telenovela- Itura. My friend nudged me to audition, and even though I had doubts, I sent in a self-tape. Funny enough, I think someone else had already been offered the role, but for some reason, it didn’t work out. One morning, around 8am, I got the call that changed everything. I had been cast as Omosewa in Itura. I always say that character and project saved my life, it came exactly when I needed it.
I knew it was time to stop circling my passion and walk right into it. Acting wasn’t just something I loved, it was something I was meant to do. I’m meant to be here. That call marked the beginning of this beautiful chapter, and I’ve never looked back.
Let’s talk about your acting career. How has it been?
Honestly, the industry has been good to me. I say that with gratitude and an awareness that things could have gone very differently. Coming into acting full-time after years of working across different fields of interest gave me a level of maturity and self-awareness that I think helped me navigate the space more intentionally. I don’t feel pressure to be anything other than myself, and I truly believe that God makes everything beautiful in His own time.
Since my official debut in Itura, I’ve had the privilege of being part of some truly meaningful projects and working with incredibly talented people, many of whom I now call friends. What stands out for me is not just the work I do on screen, but the relationships I’ve built and the values I bring into every project. I don’t just want to show up and perform; I want to contribute. Whether that means lending my skills behind the scenes or simply showing kindness and professionalism on set, I believe that how you show up matters just as much as the work you do.
I still feel like I’m just getting started. There’s so much I want to explore. Last year, I co-created and co-produced a YouTube drama series with a few friends called The Struggle Is Real. It’s a story that reflects the realities of young Nigerians—raw, honest, and deeply relatable. I also played the lead, and the feedback from viewers reminded me that when your art meets people right where they are, that’s when it becomes something truly special.
Acting has given me a seat at the table, but storytelling and hard work is what keeps me there. I want to keep growing, learning, and doing work that matters.
You seem to have covered so much in the few years you started acting. What is it about the arts that is enchanting for you ?
Art has always felt like home to me. I was that child who was in school plays, dances, and every cultural performance. I remember the joy of wearing costumes, memorizing lines, becoming someone else, someone whose story deserved to be told. The only academic award I ever won in secondary school was for the arts, and I wear that proudly. It’s where I’ve always belonged. I think my graduation award from my juniors then was “Next movie star” or something like that so I don’t think anyone is really surprised that I’m in this industry.
There’s something incredibly freeing about storytelling, about slipping into a character and seeing the world through their eyes. It teaches you empathy, perspective, and sometimes, it even heals parts of you that you didn’t know were broken. Acting, for me, is not just performance; it’s connection. It’s being able to reflect real people, real struggles, real joys on stage, on screen, in words, or in silence.
But it’s not just through acting. I’ve always been a storyteller, even before producing anything. From writing articles in my blogging days, to curating fashion content, to now editing at Marie Claire Nigeria, the goal is the same—making people feel seen, understood, and inspired.
The work I’ve done in these past few years is deeply intentional. I don’t take for granted that I’ve been able to do so much in such little time. I know it’s the grace of God, but it’s also the result of years of showing up for myself, long before the spotlight found me. And honestly, the enchantment of the arts is in its power to move people, to remind us that we’re not alone. That’s the kind of work I want to keep doing—art that leaves people a little softer, braver, and a little more human.
Your husband is also into drama. Does that make you feel cool?
Haha, I don’t know about feeling cool, but it’s definitely a beautiful thing. There’s something incredibly comforting about being with someone who understands the depth and demands of this job. He knows what it means to give everything to a character, to disappear into a role, and to still come home and be present. That kind of understanding is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.
He’s an actor, writer, and director, an artist in every sense of the word, and he carries it all with a kind of quiet strength that I deeply admire. Beyond the work, he’s a truly solid human being. Emotionally safe, supportive, kind, and very grounded. Having a partner like that has been a huge blessing in my personal and professional life.
We’ve worked together a few times now—first as actors on Itura, then again in Alli Eid Dinner where we played love interests, and most recently, he directed The Struggle Is Real, the YouTube series I co-created and co-produced. There’s something really special about creating with someone who sees and believes in your vision.
So yes, it’s fulfilling, and maybe even a little cool, but more than anything, it’s deeply reassuring to know we’re building something meaningful together—on screen and in real life.
In what way do you think arts can be used to make the world better?
Art is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect as human beings. It cuts across language, culture, and background to reach something deeply emotional and universal. Whether it’s film, music, theatre, or literature, art has a way of making us feel seen, heard, and understood.
I believe art is a vessel for empathy. When you see a character going through pain, joy, fear, or hope, something in you responds. That response is what builds compassion. We begin to see ourselves in others, and that alone can change how we treat people. If more of us embraced real and honest storytelling, we’d be a lot less quick to judge and a lot more willing to listen.
Art also brings people together. It reminds us of our shared humanity. In a world that often feels divided, that kind of unity is revolutionary.
For me, whether I’m on screen, writing an article, or curating content online, I always want to create from a place of truth. The goal is to inspire reflection, challenge perspectives, and leave people feeling something meaningful. Even if all it does is put a smile on your face, I’m okay with that. It’s the kind of art that can change the world quietly, but powerfully
What is your rating of the movie industry? And what value have you added to the industry since you joined?
I think the Nigerian movie industry is evolving beautifully. Considering the limited resources we often work with, the level of creativity, resilience, and innovation in Nollywood is something to be very proud of. We’re telling more intentional stories now, they’re richer, more diverse, and more reflective of who we truly are. With the rise of streaming platforms and international collaborations, the world is finally starting to see what we’ve always known: our stories matter.
That said, there’s still a long road ahead in terms of infrastructure, funding, and professional standards. But I believe we’re moving in the right direction, and I’m proud to be part of the new generation that’s helping to push those boundaries.
Personally, I’m very intentional about authenticity. I want to tell stories that resonate, that feel real and grounded even when they’re fictional. I bring not just my acting, but my background in media, content creation, and production into every project. Whether it’s on stage, on screen, or behind the scenes, I show up with a sense of purpose and professionalism. I believe in collaboration, in doing the work, and in building safe, respectful creative spaces.
My husband and I also registered our production company—TWF Productions—because we’re invested in being more than just participants in the industry. We want to build it. We’re already in pre-production for a stage play, a short film, and a feature. It’s scary, exciting, and humbling, but we’re determined to do the work and tell the stories that deserve to be seen.
We’re just young creatives doing our best to contribute meaningfully to an industry we deeply love.
Let’s talk about your first outing on stage. How was it ? What is your experience of reliving your assigned roles?
I’ve always had a soft spot for the stage. I did quite a number of school plays growing up, but stepping onto the professional stage as an adult hit differently. It was raw, electric, and very humbling.
My first professional stage performance was in Sometime In May, an interactive outdoor play staged at the Terra Kulture lawn. The format was unconventional, and the audience was literally in our space. It forced me to be present in every second of the performance. The character I played was planning her wedding, and funny enough, I was doing the same in real life, so I found myself merging reality with fiction in the most hilarious way.
Then I got the call for Ikechi’s Covenant, a bigger production with more intense demands. I had to learn how to speak some Igbo and embody a culture that wasn’t mine. That experience was interesting and reminded me of how powerful storytelling can be when you immerse yourself in it fully. After the first performance, some people came up to me shocked that I’m Yoruba and it was the highest compliment. It meant the work translated the way the director intended.
The stage is sacred. You don’t get a second take. You have to trust your instincts, trust your fellow actors, and trust the character to lead you. Every time I step into a role, it’s like meeting a new version of myself. I walk away with lessons, empathy, and a little more courage.
I’m grateful for every opportunity to do this work. It demands everything from you, but it gives just as much in return.
What future do you see for yourself and the industry
I see a future where we tell more honest stories, where our films travel across borders not just for awards or accolades, but because they connect deeply with people everywhere. I see a thriving Nigerian film industry that is properly funded, globally respected, and nurtures the wellbeing of its talent.
For myself, I see a long, meaningful career rooted in purpose. I want to continue evolving as an actor, producer, and creative voice. I want to work on projects that challenge me, leave a lasting impression, and make people feel seen. I hope to explore more stage work, develop screen projects that are rich in culture and humanity, and contribute to building a more sustainable industry for the next generation.
That’s why I’m building TWF Productions with my husband; to tell stories that matter, and also collaborate with the right people. One thing I’ve learned is that no one truly makes it alone. Community matters. I want to be part of creating safe, kind, and professional spaces where creatives, especially women, can thrive. We have the talent, we just need the right structures, and I want to be part of making that happen.
Ultimately, I’m not just here to exist in the industry; I’m here to help shape it. And as long as I have creativity, and faith, I’ll keep showing up to do just that.
So yeah, the future is looking like the industry making great box office numbers, global recognition, impactful storytelling, and hopefully a beach house for relaxation because I really love the beach!
