‘I Started Acting in 1958’ — Lere Paimo Challenges Pete Edochie’s 1962 Claim

By George Omagbemi

A fresh debate over seniority in Nigeria’s acting industry has emerged after veteran actor Pete Edochie made claims about how far back his acting career dates, prompting veteran Yoruba actor Lere Paimo to offer a different account of Nigeria’s theatrical history.

Edochie recently spoke about his acting career during an appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask, saying he began acting on stage in 1962, when he was 15. He cited his performance in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as evidence of his early involvement in acting, years before what is now known as Nollywood emerged. He also challenged actors who claimed to have started their professional careers before him to come forward and substantiate their claims.

Paimo subsequently responded during an interview with actor Kunle Afod, insisting that his own professional acting career began in 1958 — four years before Edochie’s stated starting point.

“I started acting in 1958, and it was in 1962 that Pete Edochie started acting,” Paimo said. He added that when he entered the profession, he encountered the legendary Hubert Ogunde, whom he regarded as senior to him and other actors.

Paimo’s response also shifted the discussion beyond individual seniority to the history of Yoruba travelling theatre, arguing that indigenous Nigerian theatrical traditions existed long before the emergence of Nollywood and the prominence of English-language film production.

The debate therefore involves more than who started first. It raises questions about how Nigerian acting history is measured — whether through stage performance, travelling theatre, television, film or the later emergence of Nollywood.

Importantly, Paimo’s 1958 statement is his account of when his professional career began, while Edochie’s 1962 date is his account of his own career. The two dates can be compared, but they do not by themselves establish an absolute ranking of seniority across Nigeria’s entire acting history.

Paimo himself acknowledged that Ogunde was already active before him, further demonstrating that the history of Nigerian acting predates both men’s careers.