“Pride is in his blood”: Actor Kola Olaiya blasts Pete Edochie over Nollywood seniority claims

The ongoing debate over who holds seniority in the Nigerian film industry has escalated into a fierce exchange after veteran actor Kola Olaiya openly criticised fellow veteran Pete Edochie, accusing him of pride and ignoring the pioneers of Nigerian theatre.

Speaking during a recent episode on Oyinmomo TV, Olaiya addressed comments made by Edochie regarding his long-standing career in Nigerian entertainment, arguing that early theatre legends paved the way long before modern cinema emerged.

“Pete Edochie is a proud human being. I have known him for long. Pride is in his blood. That is why he cannot respect elders,” Olaiya declared during the interview.

“Hubert Ogunde was acting before Edochie was born”

To support his stance, Olaiya pointed out that the history of Nigerian performance art far predates actors who gained fame through English-language films, citing legendary theatre pioneer Chief Hubert Ogunde as a prime example.

He noted that Ogunde officially established his professional theatre company in 1944 after resigning from the Nigerian Police Force:

“Before they gave birth to Pete Edochie, Ogunde had been acting. That is why he cannot admit that some people started before him,” Olaiya stated.

He further referenced influential figures such as Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo, and Kola Ogunmola, who laid the foundation for stage and film production across the country.

“I do not know if he is the first in his region and has no superior; that is fine. But in the whole of Nigeria? No,” he added.

Heated debate follows podcast comments on industry origins

The clash comes on the heels of a broader industry discussion sparked after Pete Edochie appeared on the popular podcast Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by comedian Isbae U.

During the podcast episode, Edochie asserted that his acting career began as early as 1962 when he was a 15-year-old student, performing in stage productions such as William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

Edochie’s claims, alongside recent public remarks by Yoruba theatre veteran Lere Paimo, have reignited debates among film historians, industry stakeholders, and movie fans regarding the timeline and historical boundaries of Nollywood and traditional Nigerian theatre.

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