‘Koleoso’ fame surprised me — Actor Ibrahim Yekinni

Actor and filmmaker Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele d’Icon, has expressed surprise over the massive reception of his YouTube series, ‘Koleoso’, saying he did not expect the level of emotional attachment viewers developed.

The Yoruba supernatural series, released on YouTube, became Nigeria’s most searched local series on Google in 2025, drawing attention to its growing influence within the digital film space. 

The production features actors such as Kemity, Saliu Gbolagade Ogboluke, Yetunde Barnabas, and Fatai Odua, and has recorded millions of views on the platform.

Itele explained that the response from viewers went beyond regular audience interest.

“What surprised me the most was the emotional connection. People didn’t just watch ‘Koleoso’; they owned it. The debates, theories, loyalty, and speed with which viewers showed up every time made me realise we had created more than a series; we built a community,” he said.

The filmmaker noted that the success of Koleoso has shaped how he now approaches storytelling and production, especially in trusting culturally grounded narratives.

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“It greatly strengthened my confidence. It reaffirmed that when a story is authentic, rooted in culture, and told with conviction, it will always find its audience. 

“As a producer, it pushed me to trust my instincts more and take bold creative risks without waiting for validation from traditional structures,” he explained.

Addressing the challenges faced during the production process, Itele revealed that managing his dual role as an actor and producer required deliberate restraint.

“The hardest decision was knowing when to step back as an actor and think strictly like a producer. 

“Sometimes, I had to sacrifice personal screen moments to serve the overall story and production quality. Balancing ego and vision was a constant but necessary discipline,” he added.