Diaspora Star | Toheeb Jimoh : Redefining the African Diaspora Narrative in Global Film

Toheeb Jimoh doesn’t just act , he represents. In an era where authenticity has become the cornerstone of storytelling, this British-Nigerian actor is bridging continents through performance, identity, and purpose. With roles that blend heart, culture, and intellect, Jimoh is steadily shaping what it means to be an African creative on the world stage.

Born in Brixton to Nigerian parents, Toheeb’s story is one familiar to many in the African diaspora , a life lived between worlds. As a child, he spent formative years in Nigeria before returning to London, where he had to relearn how to belong. “My Nigerian-ness was the thing that set me apart,” he once admitted. Like many second-generation Africans, he wrestled with the push and pull of two cultural identities, one deeply rooted, the other constantly evolving.

That tension, rather than being a burden, became his creative foundation. Today, it’s the invisible thread that connects his work, from Ted Lasso’s Sam Obisanya to The Power’s Tunde Ojo characters who, like him, straddle the line between heritage and reinvention

Jimoh’s career began on the British stage, but his global recognition came through television. His portrayal of Anthony Walker in BBC’s Anthony was his first major statement , a haunting “what if” story about a young man lost to a racist attack. Critics praised his performance as “magnetic” and emotionally transcendent. It marked Jimoh as a serious storyteller, one unafraid to give voice to hard truths.

Then came Ted Lasso, a cultural juggernaut that gave him global visibility. Interestingly, the role of Sam Obisanya wasn’t originally Nigerian , the writers changed the character’s nationality after meeting Jimoh. That change became pivotal. Through Sam, Jimoh brought Nigeria to millions of living rooms around the world, not as a stereotype, but as a story of pride, ambition, and identity.

In one of the show’s most powerful storylines, Sam opens a Nigerian restaurant in London , a moment Jimoh helped shape personally, consulting on everything from the décor to the menu. “It was important to have a bit of authorship in how Nigerian stories are told,” he said. That level of creative involvement wasn’t just about accuracy, it was about reclaiming narrative ownership.

Beyond his performances, Toheeb has emerged as an advocate for authentic African representation in film and media. He has spoken openly about the need to move beyond tokenism to let African and diaspora actors tell stories that reflect their full humanity, not just their ethnicity.

Beyond his performances, Toheeb has emerged as an advocate for authentic African representation in film and media. He has spoken openly about the need to move beyond tokenism, to let African and diaspora actors tell stories that reflect their full humanity, not just their ethnicity.

“As much as I want to play Nigerians and be a voice for Nigerian people, that’s not all of who I am,” he says. “I’m also a Black British kid.” It’s this insistence on multiplicity on the right to be complex that places him among a new wave of African diaspora talents like Michaela Coel and Ncuti Gatwa, who are reshaping British media from within.

The industry is beginning to take notice. Jimoh’s work reflects a broader shift in how African stories are being told , with depth, dignity, and agency. His influence extends into conversations about production, writing, and mentoring young actors of African descent who want to break into the arts.

While his on-screen roles have made him a household name, Toheeb’s stage performances reveal another layer of his artistry. In 2023, he starred as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at London’s Almeida Theatre, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy that saw a Black British actor embody a classically white role.

It was more than a casting decision, it was a cultural statement. Toheeb’s Romeo challenged the boundaries of tradition and proved that great storytelling transcends skin colour. “It allowed me to put my own stamp on a classically British role,” he reflected. His performance was met with critical acclaim, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic, fearless performer capable of reshaping the British stage.

What makes Toheeb Jimoh exceptional isn’t just his talent, it’s his vision. He understands that representation is not simply about visibility; it’s about agency. He’s part of a generation of African creatives reclaiming control of their narratives, building platforms, mentoring others, and challenging outdated notions of what African actors can do.

Through his work, Jimoh continues to prove that the African diaspora is not a passive presence in global culture, it is an active, driving force. His story is one of self-discovery and purpose, of a young man who found his place not by choosing between identities but by uniting them.

And in doing so, Toheeb Jimoh isn’t just representing Nigerians abroad, he’s redefining what it means to belong everywhere.