Yemi Solade Nollywood history claim says he started acting before Pete Edochie, highlighting Yoruba industry’s early role in shaping Nigerian film culture

Yemi Solade Nollywood history is sparking conversation after the actor claimed he began acting before Pete Edochie. In an interview on ‘Father’s Path with Tope’, Solade stated he was already representing Nigeria at 17 in 1977.

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“I’m senior to Pete Edochie. I started acting before him, though he’s older than me,” Solade said. “I’ve done 48 years in the industry and still standing.”

Solade criticised misconceptions about the origins of Nollywood, arguing that the Yoruba section of the industry was active long before media recognition.

“The Yoruba industry didn’t document anything; that’s why the others claimed they started it,” he explained. “Hey, shut up. When people like us are here, we’ll let you know you didn’t start anything.”

He mentioned pioneers like Ade Ajiboye (Big Abass), Hubert Ogunde, Ade Afolayan, and Dr Ola Balogun as foundational figures in Nigerian film.

According to him, Yoruba filmmakers were already experimenting with camcorders and distributing home videos before others followed suit.

“They didn’t know about media. Most weren’t schooled in it. They were just acting,” Solade said. “Adebayo Salami is alive; he’ll tell you more. Jide Kosoko too we all worked together.”

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Solade’s remarks challenge mainstream Nollywood narratives and reassert the overlooked influence of the Yoruba drama tradition in Nigerian cinema.