Veteran filmmaker and playwright Tunde Kelani has paid tribute to late actor and scholar Kola Oyewo, saying his portrayal of Oba Lapite in Saworoide remains one of the most memorable performances in Nigerian cinema.
In a farewell message on Sunday titled “Farewell, Professor Kola Oyewo, Farewell, Oba Lapite,” Kelani expressed sorrow over the death of the veteran actor, who featured in several of his productions, including Koseegbe, Oleku and Saworoide.
Reflecting on Oyewo’s role as Oba Lapite in the 1999 political drama, Kelani said the actor brought “depth, dignity and humanity” to the character, making him unforgettable to audiences.
He recalled that after Oba Lapite was publicly executed by the character Lagata in the film, he could not find a way to bring the character back into the story.
“Once he was publicly executed by Lagata, I could not bring Kola Oyewo back into the narrative. I missed him then. Today, I miss him again,” Kelani wrote.
The filmmaker also praised Oyewo for successfully combining scholarship with performance throughout his career.
“Kola Oyewo belonged to a rare generation that successfully bridged scholarship and performance. He inspired countless students, actors and audiences through his talent, humility and lifelong commitment to learning, culture, theatre and film,” he said.
Oyewo’s death was announced on Friday by actor Kunle Afod, who paid tribute to his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group. He later became one of the most respected figures in Yoruba theatre and Nigerian cinema.
He was widely celebrated for his portrayal of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame, a role that earned him recognition across Africa. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he appeared in productions such as Saworoide, Koseegbe, Sango, Oleku and Super Story.
Beyond acting, Oyewo built a distinguished academic career. He earned a doctorate in Drama from the University of Ibadan and taught at Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University and Elizade University, where he mentored generations of actors, playwrights and scholars.
His death came months after he publicly disclosed that he was battling prostate enlargement, a condition he said had limited the acting roles he could accept.
In March, President Bola Tinubu celebrated Oyewo on his 80th birthday, describing him as a cultural icon whose contributions to theatre, film and education helped shape Nigeria’s creative landscape.
