Some decisions are shaped by experiences that people rarely get to see. For some, the most meaningful achievements are not always found in the careers that brought them fame but in the things they choose to build along the way.
For veteran Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale, years of hard work, personal sacrifices and experiences outside the entertainment industry have contributed to another chapter of her life.
Sola Sobowale Launches Elderly Care Home In Ibadan
Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has launched an elderly care facility, Joseph & Esther Homes, in Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State. The facility was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde performing the commissioning.
The project marks a new venture for the actress, who is widely recognised for her roles in Nigerian films and television productions.
Joseph & Esther Homes was established to provide accommodation, professional care and support for older adults. It aims to offer residents a safe and comfortable environment where they can enjoy their later years with dignity and independence.
The facility operates with the tagline, “Live Well, Age Well, Thrive Together”, while describing itself as “A Place to Call Home”.
Its approach is built around supporting families who may find it difficult to provide constant care for their ageing relatives because of work, distance or other responsibilities. The home’s philosophy is captured in its statement: “We do not replace family. We help families care better.”
With the inauguration, Sobowale has added another venture to her name, this time in a sector that is connected to an important part of her life outside Nollywood.
Gov Makinde, Toyin Abraham, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Other Celebrities Attend Launch
The inauguration attracted several prominent personalities from the entertainment industry, government and other sectors.
Among those present were Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, filmmakers and actors Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, Kunle Afolayan, Titi Kuti aka Ade Tiger, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyosi Adesanya and Femi Adebayo, veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, movie producer Tola Odunsi and comedian Gbenga Adeyinka.
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, was also among the notable guests.
The event further attracted government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, family members and other well-wishers.
Makinde officially commissioned the facility, while the presence of the actors and entertainers added to the significance of the occasion. Videos from the ceremony also captured an emotional moment involving Sobowale. The actress became visibly moved during a tribute celebrating her journey, resilience and caring nature. Her daughter was seen comforting her.
The occasion was not only a celebration of a new business venture but also an opportunity for friends, colleagues and well-wishers to recognise another milestone in the actress’s life.
Why Sola Sobowale Named The Facility Joseph & Esther Homes
The name Joseph & Esther Homes carries a personal meaning for Sobowale. The actress named the facility after her late parents, Joseph and Esther Olagookun, in honour of their memory and legacy.
Both of them were educators. Her father, Joseph, was a retired school principal, while her mother, Esther, worked as a headmistress. The decision to name the home after them gives the project a family connection and reflects the importance of her parents in her life.
It also adds a personal touch to a facility dedicated to caring for older people. Rather than choosing a name based solely on its commercial appeal, Sobowale used the project to celebrate the people who played important roles in shaping her upbringing.
The actress’s decision has also drawn attention to the importance of caring for elderly parents and ensuring that older members of society receive the attention and support they deserve.
From Working As A Caregiver In The UK To Establishing An Elderly Care Home
While many Nigerians know Sola Sobowale for her successful acting career, fewer may be familiar with her experience working as a caregiver in the United Kingdom.
Interestingly, her journey into the elderly care sector did not begin with the establishment of Joseph & Esther Homes. It started years earlier, when she stepped away from the Nigerian entertainment industry to focus on her family.
In 2004, Sobowale relocated to the UK to provide better educational opportunities for her children. At the time, she was already a recognised face in Nollywood, particularly following her performance as Toyin Tomato in the popular television series Super Story: Oh Father, Oh Daughter.
However, despite her growing fame, the actress decided to put her entertainment career on hold.
During an interview with Teju Babyface on the King of Talks podcast, Sobowale explained that her decision to relocate was largely influenced by her desire to be present in her children’s lives.
She wanted to give them the attention and support she believed they needed while growing up. The actress also spoke about the challenges facing the Nigerian education system at the time, including prolonged university strikes, which contributed to her decision to take her children abroad.
How She Started Working As A Caregiver
Moving to the UK meant starting over in a country where her popularity as an actress did not automatically translate into employment opportunities.
Sola Sobowale took on different jobs, including working in the care sector. She spoke about performing physically demanding duties such as washing, cleaning, cooking and assisting elderly people. Her experience was a major departure from the life she had built in Nigeria, where she was already an established actress.
During the interview, she explained that she started from the grassroots before pursuing professional qualifications in the care sector. She said:
“When I started this ‘elevated omo odo’ thing, I started from the grassroots. Then, I went to the college. I got my NVQ 2,3,4, to become a team leader.”
The qualifications she mentioned were National Vocational Qualifications at Levels 2, 3 and 4. Her efforts eventually saw her progress to become a team leader.
Sobowale also recalled how some Nigerians she worked with recognised her from her acting career and were surprised to see her doing care work in the UK. One of them, Seye Fadipe, reportedly questioned why she had left her established career in Nigeria to start again abroad. But for the actress, the decision was connected to something more important than fame. Explaining her priorities, she said: “My future. My children are my future.”
Her experience in the UK meant that she became familiar with the demands of caring for older people, including the patience, commitment and physical effort required.
It also gave her an understanding of the challenges families face when trying to provide proper care for ageing relatives.
Her Return To Nollywood
After spending years away from active work in the Nigerian entertainment industry, Sobowale returned to Nollywood in 2016. Her comeback came after she auditioned for the movie The Wedding Party, which became one of the major productions of that period.
She went on to feature in several successful films, further strengthening her position as one of Nollywood’s respected actresses. Her performance in the 2018 film King of Boys, where she played the powerful character Eniola Salami, introduced her to another generation of movie lovers and earned widespread attention.
Looking at her journey, the establishment of Joseph & Esther Homes represents an interesting connection between her past experience and her present ambitions. What she once did as an employee in the UK has now become part of a project she is building in Nigeria.
Sola Sobowale Also Unveils Book, Built From The Break
The inauguration of Joseph & Esther Homes was not the only milestone celebrated by Sobowale on November 3, 2026. The actress also unveiled a book titled Built From the Break during the ceremony. The publication added another dimension to the occasion, which celebrated both her new elderly care facility and her work as an author.
Governor Makinde congratulated Sobowale on the book, noting that writing and publishing a book required courage, discipline and commitment.
He also shared his personal experience with writing, recalling an attempt to publish a collection of his thoughts and aspirations for Oyo State shortly after assuming office in 2019.
According to the governor, he eventually abandoned the project after discovering that pirated copies had appeared before the original publication had left the printing press.
Makinde described Sobowale’s book as a worthwhile read and promised to include it among the books he would review on his social media platforms before the end of the year. The unveiling of Built From the Break alongside the care home’s inauguration made the occasion particularly significant for the actress, marking two achievements outside her regular acting work.
What To Know About Joseph & Esther Homes
Joseph & Esther Homes is a residential care facility established by Sobowale for older adults.
Located in Akobo, Ibadan, the home is designed to provide accommodation, assistance and professional care for senior citizens.
Its central idea is to create an environment where older people can enjoy their later years without losing their dignity, comfort or sense of independence. The facility also recognises the challenges families face when caring for ageing relatives, particularly when work and other responsibilities make it difficult to provide constant support.
Its services are intended to include residential accommodation, personal assistance, professional care, social interaction and communication with residents’ families. The facility’s approach is centred on making elderly care a shared responsibility between professional caregivers and family members.
It also provides for enquiries and virtual consultations for families interested in its services. Although the home was officially inaugurated on November 3, reports indicated that full operations were expected to commence later in 2026.
Therefore, the commissioning marked the formal unveiling of the facility rather than confirmation that it had already begun accommodating residents.
Makinde’s Message To Wealthy Nigerians, Promise Of Road Improvements
Beyond commissioning the facility, Governor Makinde used the occasion to speak about the responsibilities that come with wealth, influence and public positions.
He praised Sobowale for investing in a project aimed at improving the lives of older people and encouraged other wealthy Nigerians to use their resources to make society better. The governor said:
“Stop using your wealth, your position and your influence to oppress others. Use your wealth, use your position and use your intellect to make life better for members of this society.”
Makinde also spoke about the importance of caring for elderly parents, drawing from his personal experience of having his late mother live with him until her death. He used the experience to emphasise the need to give older people the attention, respect and support they deserve.
The governor further announced plans to improve access to Joseph & Esther Homes. According to him, the road leading to the facility would be extended to its frontage. He also promised the installation of solar-powered streetlights along the road to improve accessibility and security.
The access road was already undergoing rehabilitation by the Lagelu Local Government, and the governor said the additional work would help improve the area around the facility.
