Nollywood

Veteran actor Adebayo Salami legacy honoured with new film

Published on June 18, 2025

Veteran actor Adebayo Salami marks 60 years in film with ‘Her Excellency’, premiering June 29 and in cinemas nationwide from July 4, 2025

Her Excellency Adebayo Salami tribute film is set to honour the 60-year career of one of Nigeria’s most revered actors. The project, titled Her Excellency, celebrates the remarkable contributions of the 72-year-old veteran, who began his acting journey in 1964.

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Known widely in the Yoruba film industry and beyond, Salami started as a member of the Young Concert Party, a drama troupe led by the late Ojo Ladipo.

Following Ladipo’s passing, he assumed leadership of the group, which evolved into the Awada Kerikeri Theatre Organisation. This marked the beginning of a transformative era in Yoruba storytelling.

Salami made history by starring in the first Yoruba-language feature film, Ajani Ogun, a groundbreaking project that laid the foundation for what would later become known as Nollywood.

In 1985, he stepped into the role of producer with Ogun Ajaye, further establishing his range and commitment to African narratives.

His latest film, Her Excellency, will premiere on 29 June 2025, with a nationwide cinema release scheduled for 4 July. According to his son, award-winning actor Femi Adebayo, the film serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose passion and artistry shaped Nigerian film for six decades.

Femi described the upcoming premiere as more than a celebration, calling it “a moment for every dreamer, every creative, every artist who dares to build, to sacrifice, to endure”.

His heartfelt tribute praised his father not just as a performer, but as a mentor and a beacon for future generations of filmmakers.

As the industry looks ahead to this cinematic release, Her Excellency stands as both a personal and professional testament to Salami’s lifelong dedication.