The Nigerian entertainment community has been thrown into mourning following reports that veteran actor Lere Paimo has died at the age of 86.
The respected figure, widely celebrated for his influence in Yoruba theatre and film, was said to have passed away after decades of contributing to Nigeria’s creative arts sector.
According to Gossip News Now reports that, the news of his death was shared publicly by entertainment journalist Seun Oloketuyi through a social media post.
In his message, Oloketuyi described the late actor as a strong and resilient individual, noting that the veteran had previously survived two stroke incidents before his death.
Born in September 1939 in Oyo State, Lere Paimo built a remarkable career that spanned more than sixty years in the performing arts.
His journey into acting began in the late 1950s when he joined the renowned Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group. The troupe was one of the most influential travelling theatre companies during the early years of Nigerian stage drama.
After gaining experience in theatre, he later became associated with the Duro Ladipo Theatre, where he played key roles in several traditional stage productions.
One of the performances that brought him wider recognition was his role in the stage play Obamoro, where he portrayed the character known as Chief Basa.
Over time, Paimo’s popularity grew significantly, especially after appearing in the Yoruba epic film Ogbori Elemosho, where he played the lead role of Soun Ogunola.
His success in that production helped cement his reputation as one of the most recognizable figures in Yoruba storytelling through film and theatre.
Throughout his career, the veteran actor participated in numerous acclaimed productions both as a performer and as a creative contributor behind the scenes.
Some notable titles associated with his work include:
- Saworoide
- Agogo Eewo
- The Narrow Path
- Moremi Ajasoro
- Arugba
His contribution to the Nigerian film industry earned him national recognition. In 2005, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo honoured him with the national title Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Beyond acting, Paimo also made a memorable appearance on the popular television quiz programme Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, where he won a cash prize of one million naira in 2014.
Commentary and Analysis
Lere Paimo’s passing marks the end of an era for Yoruba theatre and the broader Nollywood landscape. Actors of his generation played a critical role in shaping modern Nigerian cinema.
Before the emergence of today’s film industry structures, travelling theatre groups like those he belonged to served as the foundation of storytelling and cultural performance in Nigeria.
His work also helped preserve Yoruba history, folklore, and cultural traditions through stage plays and films that reached audiences across the country.
For many younger actors and filmmakers, Paimo represented a bridge between traditional theatre and contemporary Nollywood filmmaking.
As tributes continue to pour in from colleagues and fans, his legacy as a cultural ambassador and pioneer of Nigerian cinema remains firmly established.
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