Veteran Nollywood actor Kola Olaiya has accused celebrated actor Pete Edochie of failing to acknowledge the contributions of older theatre practitioners who laid the foundation for Nigeria’s acting industry.

Olaiya made the remarks during an interview with Oyinmomo TV, published on Friday, amid an ongoing debate over seniority and the history of acting in Nigeria.

The actor argued that the history of Nigerian acting extends beyond Nollywood and the generation of performers who became popular through English-language films. According to him, several theatre practitioners established themselves long before Edochie began his acting career.

Olaiya specifically cited the late Hubert Ogunde, widely recognised as a pioneer of modern Yoruba theatre, whose professional theatrical activities began in the 1940s. He also mentioned other influential figures, including Oyin Adejobi, Duro Ladipo and Kola Ogunmola, whose contributions helped shape indigenous theatre and performance in Nigeria.

The veteran actor questioned the basis for regarding Edochie as one of the most senior figures in the entire Nigerian acting industry, arguing that the contributions of earlier practitioners must be considered when determining professional seniority.

Olaiya further maintained that prominence within a particular ethnic or regional entertainment industry should not automatically translate into seniority across the country. He suggested that although Edochie might be regarded as a leading figure in his region, the history of Nigerian acting includes practitioners whose careers predate his.

The controversy follows Edochie’s recent comments during an appearance on the Curiosity Made Me Ask programme, hosted by comedian Isbae U. During the interview, Edochie said his acting career began in 1962 when he was 15 years old, citing his performance in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as evidence of his early involvement in the profession.

Edochie’s comments have since attracted reactions from other veteran actors. Yoruba film legend Lere Paimo previously stated that he began acting in 1958, four years before Edochie’s stated starting date. Paimo also highlighted the importance of Hubert Ogunde and the travelling-theatre tradition in understanding the development of Nigerian acting.

The disagreement has renewed discussions about how seniority should be determined in the entertainment industry, particularly whether it should be measured by age, the year an actor began performing, professional experience or contributions to the development of Nigerian theatre and cinema.

Beyond the disagreement among the actors, the debate has drawn attention to the importance of documenting Nigeria’s entertainment history and preserving the contributions of pioneers whose work preceded the emergence of modern Nollywood in the 1990s.

As reactions continue, the discussion presents an opportunity for industry stakeholders to recognise the different traditions, languages and generations that have contributed to the growth of Nigerian theatre and film.