Veteran Nigerian actor Yemi Solade has sparked conversations by revealing that he began his acting career before the legendary Pete Edochie, challenging popular perceptions about their career timelines. Speaking in a recent interview, Solade recounted his early days in Nollywood, describing how he ventured into acting at a young age and worked his way through numerous stage and television productions well ahead of Edochie’s rise to fame.
Solade emphasized that his passion for acting dates back several decades, highlighting his foundational roles in classic Nigerian theater and television dramas during the early 1980s, a period many associate with Pete Edochie's breakthrough. While acknowledging Edochie’s iconic status and immense contributions to the Nigerian film industry, Solade expressed pride in his own enduring presence and the diverse roles he has portrayed across more than forty years.
The actor’s statement underscores the rich, intertwined history of Nollywood’s pioneers and invites a fresh appreciation of the many talents who shaped the industry’s formative years. Through candid reflections, Yemi Solade encourages fans and younger actors to recognize the craft’s depth and the commitment required to sustain a lifelong acting career.
