Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani has announced that an upcoming episode of his documentary series will be dedicated to the memory of the late actor, scholar and cultural icon, Gabriel Kola Oyewo.

Kelani shared the announcement on Instagram, saying it is important to honour the people whose dedication helped shape Nigerian storytelling before continuing to tell new stories.

The special episode, which is part of Mainframe Productions' Film Heritage Digital (FMD) series, will feature an archival interview with Oyewo that was recorded about three years ago during the production of the documentary series, Heroes of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre.

According to Kelani, the interview gives viewers the opportunity to hear directly from the late actor about his career, experiences and lifelong commitment to the performing arts.

Kelani also reflected on their long creative partnership, recalling that they worked together on notable productions including Koseegbe, O Le Ku and Saworoide.

He praised Oyewo's outstanding performances and his important role in preserving Yoruba culture and Nigerian storytelling through film and theatre.

Beyond acting, Oyewo was widely respected as an academic who contributed significantly to theatre education through teaching, research and stage performance.

His influence extended across university theatre, Yoruba-language productions and the broader Nigerian film industry, inspiring generations of actors, filmmakers and audiences.Oyewo passed away on 12 June 2026 at the age of 80.

Through this documentary tribute, Kelani hopes to preserve his legacy and celebrate the lasting impact he made on Nigerian theatre, cinema and cultural heritage.