Veteran Nigerian actor Yemi Solade has stirred controversy online with his recent assertion that he is senior to Pete Edochie in the movie industry, despite being younger in age.
In a video shared on social media, Solade reflected on his journey in acting and addressed ongoing debates about the origins of Nollywood. He refuted widespread claims that the English-speaking section of the industry pioneered Nollywood, arguing that the Yoruba film sector had long been active but failed to document its works early on.
“I’m a senior to Pete Edochie, though he is older than me, but I started acting before him,” Solade said. “I started acting in 1977 when I was 17 as Nigeria’s youngest actor. I have done 48 years in acting and I’m still standing.”
He also credited Ade Ajiboye, popularly known as “Big Abass,” as the first Nigerian to produce a home video, adding that the Yoruba movie industry was actively producing films before the term “Nollywood” became widely recognized.
“They claim to have started Nollywood because they romance the media, while the Yoruba section was just acting without documentation,” Solade noted.
His remarks have sparked mixed reactions across social media, with some supporting his claims of early involvement in acting, while others questioned the relevance of comparing timelines or contributions in such a manner.
