Yoruba film industry mourns Shina Sanyaolu

Nigerian filmmaker and director, Shina Sanyaolu, has passed away.

The sad news was confirmed by the President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan aka Baba Latin, on Wednesday.

While the exact cause of his death and the date of his passing remain unknown, the Yoruba film industry is in mourning.

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Colleagues and friends have taken to social media to pay their respects to the beloved filmmaker.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko described Sanyaolu as a “beacon of kindness and warmth.”

In a heartfelt tribute, Kosoko recalled how Sanyaolu had been a guiding light for many, especially those who travelled to the UK in the 1980s.

“Shina was always there for us, offering a helping hand and opening doors where there seemed to be none,” Kosoko said. “His generosity knew no bounds.”

The President of TAMPAN UK, Doyin Amodu, also expressed her grief.

“Your love for arts and unwavering support for the industry were unmatched, Goodnight my dear brother and Director. You will be deeply missed @shinasanyaolu,” she wrote.

Sanyaolu was known for his exceptional directing skills and his contributions to numerous films, including The Honourable, Two Wives, and Omo Olosan.