Bankole Lasekan

"And God shall wipe away tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pains for the former things have passed away". Rev 21:4

Bankole Lasekan was born November 12, 1962, at Ipele, Owo to the family of the renowned pioneer African Artist; the late Artist Mr. Akinola Lasekan and late Mrs. Esther Ajike Lasekan.

Bankole had his early childhood and education at Ipele where he attended St Stephen's Primary School, Ipele. He developed curiosity and creative mind from his childhood years. He later attended Owo High School, Owo from September 1973 to June 1978, after which he attended Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria, where he earned an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Arts.

With an innovative mind, Bankole later travelled to the United States of America and successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art, majoring in Design Communication in 1985 from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Later, he attended San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California where he obtained a master’s degree in film production with emphasis on Animation. His education and creative acumen propelled him to a successful career as a well-known and recognized Animator, Film maker and Game Developer.

Bankole won many awards and accomplishments, some of which included: Oscar (Hollywood) Award as an Animator of “Geri’s Game” video (1997) and in “The Bug’s Life” Disney Movie while working at Pixar Animation Studios. His Production on “Okunkun Lo” an African animation was selected as the Best Short Animation at the 2023 Orlando Florida Urban Film Festival. He received 9 credits for animations for 6 games mainly working at Electronic Arts, Inc. (EAS) including; a Medal of Honor (2010; Xbox, PlayStation & Windows) Boom Blox (2008); Wii) Medal of Honor: Airborne (2007; Xbox 360 & Windows) Medal of Honor: European Assault (2005; PlayStation 2) Golden Eye: Rogue Agent (2004; PlayStation 2) Other Game credits included: Motor Frenzy, CyberStorm (Video Games): Atari Games, Inc. Frog Wild, Koala Kash, Crazy Circus (casino games): Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Commercial Art Production Credits were: G. I. Joe TV Commercials Reel FX/Hasbro, Inc. Nak Nak TV commercials: Reel FX/Hasbro, Inc.

He wrote and published a well acclaimed children’s storybook “Banji Versus the Village” (2017) which was a paperback and an e-book that was later developed as an animation. The book integrated African motive with traditional art (Available in Amazon.com)

Bankole was a very humane and compassionate man who gave his all to the needy nearby and far away. He was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend who touched so many lives.

He truly left an indelible mark on the sand of life and will be greatly missed.

Bankole is survived by a beloved daughter, and many sisters, brothers, cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles and aunties who greatly miss him and his gentle, humble and kind personalities.

A golden heart stopped beating. Two smiling eyes at rest.

REST IN PEACE BANKOLE LASEKAN until resurrection day.

The family will receive friends from 9-10:00 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026, followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m., at Allen Family Funeral Options.

Bankole will be laid to rest at Plano Mutual Cemetery.