Nollywood actor Yemi Solade has issued a heartfelt apology to his colleague, Afeez Abiodun, popularly known as Afeez Owo, over a physical altercation that occurred more than two decades ago during a movie shoot.
Solade made the revelation during a recent interview on Behind the Fame African A-List, where he candidly opened up about the long-standing incident that took place on the outskirts of Ibadan. At the time, Afeez Owo was serving as the production manager for the film.
Recalling the incident, Solade explained that tensions flared after the day’s shoot wrapped up and the set was plunged into darkness due to a sudden power outage.
“Let me apologise to Afeez Abiodun. I slapped him once. He was the production manager of a movie, I can’t recall the year exactly,” Solade said. “We got to the town outskirts of Ibadan, and when we finished filming, there was a blackout.”
Solade noted that his frustration boiled over when he felt that Afeez wasn’t taking his concerns seriously during the chaotic moment.
“As the production manager, he was the one we’d lay our accusations and frustrations on. It got me infuriated because he wasn’t taking me seriously, and that slap came from nowhere, in the dark. I didn’t like that,” he added.
According to Solade, Afeez chose not to react or confront him, instead quietly leaving the set the next morning. The memory of that moment, Solade said, has remained with him ever since.
In a remorseful tone, the actor said, “Afeez, I’m sorry. Mabinu simi [please don’t be offended with me]. It’s been a long time, like 20 years. I’ve complained bitterly to some people before, but let me just stick to Afeez directly. I don’t like insults, and that could be my weakness.”
Solade’s candid confession and sincere apology have since sparked widespread conversations around accountability, forgiveness, and reconciliation within the Nollywood industry.