Veteran Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has revealed that he began his acting career before legendary actor Pete Edochie, despite being younger.
The 65-year-old made this known during an appearance on the show Father’s Path with Tope, where he reflected on his long journey in the Nigerian film industry, especially within the Yoruba-language sector.
“I’m senior to Pete Edochie in acting,” he stated. “I started before him, even though he’s older than me. I was 17 years old in 1977 when I represented Nigeria as the youngest actor. I’ve spent 48 years in the industry and I’m still going strong.”
Solade used the opportunity to highlight the rich history of Yoruba theatre and its contribution to what is now known as Nollywood. He pushed back against claims that other segments of the industry were the true pioneers of Nigerian home videos and the broader Nollywood movement.
He explained that long before the rise of what is now referred to as Nollywood, Yoruba filmmakers were already making films on celluloid and performing to large audiences.
According to Solade, Yoruba theatre legends like Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sala, Ade Afolayan (father of Kunle Afolayan), and Ola Balogun laid the groundwork for the industry. He also credited the first Nigerian home video to Ade Ajiboye, popularly known as Big Abass.
“We’ve been doing it for years,” he said. “There was celluloid film. We had Ogunde, Baba Sala, Ade Afolayan, and Dr. Ola Balogun, who is still alive today. Most of those pioneers are gone now, but their legacy remains.”
Solade speaks on home video era
Solade clarified that the Yoruba industry was active long before the home video era began. However, because they did not initially document their work on video cassettes, their efforts were not as visible or recognised in later years.
“When home videos started, it was more of an experiment,” he said. “People like Muyideen Alade Aromire came in with camcorders and started recording our plays. They would document them on VHS tapes, stack them on shelves in stores, and sell them to customers. That’s how the home video culture began.”
He noted that the commercial aspect of the home video boom gave other regions the advantage in shaping the public narrative around Nollywood’s origin.
“My people in the Yoruba industry didn’t record much,” Solade admitted. “That’s why others began to claim they started the industry. But it’s not true. We were here before them.”
He also pointed out that the Yoruba actors of that era were more focused on performing than on media relations. In contrast, other parts of the industry embraced the media early on, helping to amplify their visibility and influence.
“They had better media engagement,” he said. “Most of our Yoruba actors weren’t formally trained in media relations. They just loved acting and enjoyed it. That gave the others a chance to take credit for what Yoruba actors had already been doing.”
Solade stressed that key figures like Adebayo Salami (also known as Oga Bello) and Jide Kosoko are still alive and can confirm the early contributions of Yoruba actors to Nigeria’s film culture.
“We all worked together,” he said. “People like Adebayo Salami can tell you stories that go deeper than mine. He’s older and was there even before me. Jide Kosoko, too. These are legends who helped shape the Yoruba film tradition.”
The actor made it clear that while Nollywood has become a national brand, it is important to recognise the foundational role played by Yoruba performers and producers.
“Nollywood didn’t start in a vacuum,” he said. “There were pioneers before the cameras started rolling for home videos. We laid the bricks.”
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