Renowned Nigerian actor Segun Arinze, recently shared the story of how he acquired his stage name. Originally known as Segun Aina, he changed it to Segun Arinze in 1991 when he ventured into music.
Arinze recalled receiving an approach from a Sony Music representative who said they would like to sign him as an artist. Excited about the opportunity, he signed the contract and preparations for recording began. However, during this time, he was studying Dramatic Arts at Ife, which his father initially disapproved of, as he wanted him to become a lawyer. Arinze even had doubts about his father’s willingness to pay his school fees for drama studies.
At one point, while the National Theatre was running an open theatre event, Arinze saw his name listed as “Segun Arinze” instead of his birth name. Perplexed, he questioned the change and wondered why his name had been altered. It turned out that the album he released was titled “Dreams,” and from that point on, he became known as Segun Arinze.
In addition to his acting career, Arinze shared how he got involved in voice-over work. He credited Soni Irabor, a renowned radio broadcaster, for introducing him to this field. Irabor noticed Arinze’s speaking abilities and suggested he try voice acting. Arinze accepted the opportunity and earned N1,000 for his first voice-over job in 1987. He fondly remembered the significance of the payment, as a colored TV at that time cost N500.
Arinze’s journey from Segun Aina to Segun Arinze showcases his versatility as both a musician and an actor. His foray into voice-over work further highlights his diverse talents and the opportunities that came his way.
