Jimi Solanke

Jimi Solanke (4 July 1942 – 5 February 2024) was a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright.

Early life
Solanke graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.

Career
After graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costume. They performed in black African schools. Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a "master storyteller" by CNN.

In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review group to work with the NTA. He also played the minstrel on the children's show Storyland. His reputation earned him the lead role in most of Ola Balogun's films. He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi's Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

Death
Solanke died at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria on 5 February 2024, at the age of 81.

Filmography

 * Kongi's Harvest (1970)
 * Sango: The Legendary African King (1997)
 * Shadow Parties (2021) as Akanji's Father
 * Jagun Jagun (2023) as Narrator