Nigerian-Born WWE Star Oba Femi Credits Lagos Upbringing for Success

Oba Femi, the Nigerian-born WWE star known as “The Ruler,” says his upbringing in Lagos helped shape his rise to success in professional wrestling.

Speaking in an interview, the 28-year-old athlete said growing up in Nigeria taught him resilience, adding that his Yoruba cultural background emphasised respect and discipline, qualities he says have helped him in his career.

Before joining WWE in 2022, the Nigerian-born Isaac Odugbesan represented the University of Lagos and later the University of Alabama in athletics, where he excelled in shot put and won multiple championships. He had also aspired to compete at the Olympic Games before switching careers.

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Now a rising star in WWE, he recently defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas and continues to promote Nigerian resilience and identity as central to his success.