“My favourite memory at CIC was lunch time in the cafeteria by the outdoor seating area during the warm months. All different nationalities had their cliques and it was very easy to spot the Nigerians, IYKYK.”
While attending Toronto International Film Festival 2025, Somkele Iyamah (CIC ’06)—Nigerian actress and model—reflected on her unforgettable school days.
After graduating from CIC in 2006, Somkele pursued Biochemistry at McMaster University—then went on to build an inspiring career on the world stage.
From Nollywood classics to Hollywood hits, Somkele has appeared in acclaimed productions such as 93 Days with Danny Glover, Netflix’s Titans, HBO’s Station 11, Amazon Prime’s The Expanse, Paramount’s Star Trek: Discovery, and more.
In 2016, she made history as the first female international TIFF Rising Star, after three of her films premiered at the festival—a milestone that propelled her into global recognition. Her latest work, Orah (2023), continues to earn international acclaim.
Off-screen, she also shines as a director of Andrea Iyamah, the global fashion brand founded by her sister Andrea—also a proud CIC alumna. (Actually, all three of her siblings are CIC graduates.)
Somkele’s advice to all the directors, actors, producers, cinematographers and many more in the making:
– Be a true student of life. Never overlook any job or life experience as you journey through to make your mark as a storyteller because the best ones are those who can emote from a real and genuine place.– Every role picks its actor, never be sentimental about it as long as you hone the craft on a technical level, the role will come.
– Be and stay humble, all exhilarating things come to an end.
– Please earn a living while you chase your dream. It is not only irresponsible to rely on another for your daily needs, but also a waste of precious time waiting to exhale. Please work. Every experience is valuable along the way.
Photography by: Mohtohsoh, Dean Oriade
