*Family members, colleagues, friends, and former students of late Dr. Kola Oyewo, veteran actor, filmmaker and scholar pay glowing tributes the deceased, describing him as a passionate mentor and strong advocate for shaping Nigeria’s Nollywood, and preservation of Yoruba culture
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
Family members, colleagues, friends, and former students of late Dr. Kola Oyewo, veteran actor, filmmaker and scholar have continued to pay glowing tributes the deceased as a passionate mentor and strong advocate for shaping Nigeria’s Nollywood.
ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Oyewo died June 12, 2026, at the age of 80.
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The deceased professional was also said to be passionate about preservation of Yoruba culture.
His filmography included several acclaimed productions that helped to evolve the globally recognised Nollywood industry.
The creative and academic communities, in Nigeria, are still in mourning till this day, according to reports.
Earlier, the family and fellow industry stakeholders had announced his passage, and paid tribute to his legendary contributions to the arts, especially in Nigeria.
Late Dr. Oyewo, born March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, in Osun State, was a towering figure in Nigerian storytelling and theatre space.
He grew up in a royal farming family, and spent his formative years in the palace under the care of his uncle, who was the reigning king at the time.
The deceased’s academic journey took him to prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in Nigeria, where he earned a Certificate in Dramatic Arts and Yoruba Oral Literature.
He followed up that with a Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons.) Degree in Theatre Arts in the University in 1995.
He later proceeded to the University of Ibadan (UI), in Oyo State, to obtain both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Drama.
It is equally noted that Dr. Oyewo began his professional acting career 1964, when he joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group after responding to a recruitment poster.
The deceased spent nine years with the troupe before joining the then “University of Ife Theatre”, where he worked closely with late Prof. Ola Rotimi, a global dramatist, writer and playwright.
He gained widespread acclaim for his iconic portrayal of “Odewale” in the classic play “The Gods Are Not to Blame”.
Oyewo’s foray into the academia
Beyond the stage, Dr. Oyewo made a lasting impact in academia.
The deceased had joined the staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, in 1996, rising from the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer before retiring from the University service 2011.
It was gathered the late filmmaker later taught at Redeemer’s University and Elizade University, in Ondo State.
He is being remembered by colleagues and students as a passionate mentor and strong advocate for the preservation of Yoruba culture.
His filmography includes several acclaimed productions that helped shape Nollywood.
These include “Saworoide”, “Sango”, “Koseegbe”, “O Le Ku”, “Efunsetan Aniwura”, and “Super Story”.
His work bridging traditional travelling theatre and modern cinema earned him immense respect across generations of practitioners and fans.
Late Oyewo has been widely described as a legend of Nigerian theatre and film.
Speaking on the passage of the veteran, Adetoyese Oyewo, his son, described him as a man whose life was defined by “love, wisdom, strength, and kindness.”
Dr. Oyewo was survived by his children and family members, who have continued to honour the legacy of a man, who often described himself as a “servant of the arts” when alive.
His passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian theatre, but his influence will endure through generations of actors, scholars, and students he mentored, according to report.