I'm Not A Regular Screenwriter - Adio Solanke

In a world where ordinary is overrated, meet Adio Solanke- a master of extra ordinary! An award winning screenwriter, an editor with blockbuster movies to his credit, a director and a  film maker par excellence Party Jollof Africa was  with this soft spoken genius some weeks ago in an exclusive interview.

He spoke about his days as an undergraduate of the department of dramatic art at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, amid being the son of the popular entertainment maestro Jimmy Solanke. Buckle up for this inspiring conversation! Shall we?

PartyJollof Africa: Tell us about your early day as a dramatic student? 

Adio Solanke: As shocking as it may sound, I’m a very quiet person not out-going at all, if you put water in my mouth in the morning you might meet it later at night, so people were surprised I want to study dramatic part but a lot of people didn’t know there is part of me that can study dramatic art. 

Getting into Obafemi Awolowo University dramatic art. It influenced me to talk , I learned to be more expressive. I met amazing people.

PartyJollof Africa: How did studying dramatic art influence your career? 

Adio Solanke: (smiles) it does influence my career as a film maker because I found my tribe, I wouldn’t have discovered that part  of my identity. I found my tribe in the likes of Biyi Toluwalashe, Emmanuel Igbekele and we all are now film makers, even our seniors then were amazing, the gave us heads up into the industry quickly. They gave us some nuggets we needed.I have been going to film festivals since my year two.They opened our eyes to the real world. All that with the best tribe and like minds. We can't but be a great film maker! I don't joke with my tribe,those guys are the best!

PartyJollof Africa: You acted back on campus, but now you have evolved into being behind the scene? How did that happened?

Adio Solanke: (Smiles) I remember even with all the stage plays I have always been part of the people putting the plays together even if I’m going to be a performer now, I will prefer a stage play. The feedback, tone, the control and everything.

PartyJollof Africa: You are an editor and screenwrite now a  director, what’s the inspiration behind that? 

Adio Solanke: Early days of my film making, I was already editing and directing. I started directing short films even before I left school,did one for a web show called “what women want by Ore Ajewole. Did some writing for some commercial purpose but at a point I stopped. (cut-in)

Party Jollof: Why did you stop?

Adio Solanke: I'm not a regular writer,I discover my kind of writing isn’t conventionaI .Can write my own story, in a unique way. I remember I was in writer’s room for a very popular production company for a series and they are planning to get to a new season. I end up not writing because the head writer was like “if you want win award this is not where you can, you are thanking to much, your writing is too strong” and at that point I was like I’m  not a regular writer who write common story, just something deep a little away from norm. I like intriguing stories not the very regular ones. Most of my works are in post-production, I produce and assistant directed, edited “About a boy and his muse”. You will see it when it out.

PartyJollof Africa: Being the son of the famous Jimmy Solanke how did you cave a niche for yourself in the industry.?

Adio Solanke: Funmy enough people still ask if we are related tough my middle name is Jimmy, so my dad named me after him, I don’t add that to my name intentionally. My dad was more known in the traditional storytelling, music and entertainment. Can’t say I’m carving my niche because his blood  run in my veins. My dad is a very creative person, I can’t enter his shoes They are quite big!. There are stories I will tell that is inspired by my dad, might not just be the way he will tell the story.I live with my dad all my life. My Dad is a huge inspiration. 

PartyJollof Africa: Tell us about your unforgettable projects?

Adio Solanke: A play I wrote with my dad titled “Onidiri in  2018/2019 at the national theatre for a festival, it was my dad that got the gig through from Lagos state So my dad called me to come do my thing, since I studied dramatic art. My mum acted in the play too. I really enjoyed that moment. My Dad is such a genius, the play was fantastic. Everyone love it. I can forget another movie "Between Silence and Trust" which I Co directed with my wife. My wife is the director, I love the experience on set, though we worked with more people. It's one I will always remember.

PartyJollof Africa: Do you think there is head for new faces in Nollywood? 

Adio Solanke: Of course, as much as we have accepted a lot of actors who we can’t stop loving we still need some new ones though. 

PartyJollof Africa: If you are to choose between editing directing and producing. Which is your core?.  

Adio Solanke: Please add writing, first of, I will remove producing from the list. Producing doesn't come easy for  me. It’s a lot. I love the three, they are different stage of telling stories. I love the three. Starting of my career, behind the camera,it was paying more,and we have to eat. When you live school and the reality of adulthood hit you with bills, editing was paying and thank God I've realized from school.

PartyJollof Africa: What are your reservations about Nollywood?

Adio Solanke: In Nigeria we tell stories that are not even Nigerian and it makes our industry look so very small. It is a story that will not really place a positive value on being a Nigerian. Sometimes it can be exhausting when we don't promote the best of us to the world.

PartyJollof Africa: Do you have directors who have influenced or inspired your work?

Adio Solanke: I love referencing as back as an undergraduate days. I love Tosin Igho, I have been a fan of his work since “suspicion Guy” I have worked with Kayoode Kasum. They both have a compelling was of telling a story I love their work.

PartyJollof Africa: If you are to work with any director both in Hollywood and in Nollywood who would that be?

Adio Solanke: Edgar wright, a British film maker, I love to work with. His style is different and I admire his work.

Tosin Egho I would like to edit some of his films 

PartyJollof Africa: How does it feels to be married to a director?

Adio Solanke: It’s beautiful, I love the fact that she understand everything I’m doing we are in sync. I'm happy I married a good director though.A very good one at that.

PartyJollof Africa: What should we expect from you in 2025?

Adio Solanke: We have our first feature film “Between silence and truth” and other movies we produced for other companies. The movie "The boy and his muse" has been to some film festivals and we thank God it won some awards. Hopefully it will come out soon, can't say the streaming platform though.

PartyJollof Africa: What are you most grateful for?

Adio Solanke: I'm grateful for everything! Life and all regardless!

PartyJollof Africa: What motivate you?

Adio Solanke: Apart from a very good story, the renumeration also motivate you too. You have money to film, you should pay the editor too. I'm a sucker for a very good story and I'm happy I'm part of it when I'm editing too. So producer shouldn't motivate us by paying well (Smiles).

PartyJollof Africa: What's your current project?

Adio Solanke: It's Makemation and it's in cinema right now. People should see it, it's a masterpiece. It's not a regular Nollywood story. It is the first AI movie in Africa. Excited I'm the editor, it wasn't easy but it worth all the stress. 

PartyJollof Africa: Thanks for your time and have a wonderful year ahead.

Adio Solanke: Thanks for having me on Party Jollof Africa,I didn't take this granted. Well done. You are doing amazing stuff!