British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo has shared a hilarious story from his teenage years in Nigeria, revealing how a carefully guarded secret transformed his boarding school experience. The Hollywood star disclosed during an interview with One54Africa that he grew up speaking Yoruba fluently. However, when he arrived at a boarding school in Nigeria, his foreign accent led classmates to believe he could not understand the language.
Pretending Not to Understand Yoruba
Rather than correcting the misconception, Oyelowo decided to remain silent and let the assumption continue. He described the experience as having a superpower, as students freely discussed school gossip and personal opinions around him, unaware that he understood every word.
The actor revealed that some girls would publicly act uninterested in him but tell a completely different story when speaking Yoruba among themselves. Their assumption that he could not understand the language gave him access to information many teenagers would have loved to know. Oyelowo admitted that this secret helped him date twin sisters at the same time.
Overhearing Gossip and Negative Comments
Oyelowo noted that not every conversation he overheard was flattering. He recalled hearing classmates gossip about him and occasionally say negative things in the dormitory. Still, he resisted the temptation to reveal his secret. For two years, he maintained the act, allowing everyone to believe he did not understand a word of Yoruba. Keeping quiet required discipline, especially when people made comments directly in front of him.
Revealing the Truth on the Last Day
The biggest surprise came when it was time to leave school. After keeping his secret throughout his stay, Oyelowo decided to reveal the truth. On his final day, he reportedly walked around speaking Yoruba fluently to classmates who had spent years talking freely in front of him. The revelation left many stunned.
Reactions from Social Media Users
Legit.ng compiled comments from social media users. @Bishopshanzy stated: "That's why he spoke Yorùbá in HOLLYWOOD movie like that, I was so astonished when I heard my language." @c.h.i.o.m.a___ noted: "I pretend not to know Yoruba too, they get too comfortable when they know you don't understand anything they're saying."
