10 Nollywood Stars Who Passed Away Between January And August 2026

The year 2026 has recorded the painful deaths of several well-known figures in Nigeria’s movie industry. Between January and August, fans and filmmakers lost notable veterans and screen stars who contributed significantly to the growth of Nollywood.

Below are details of 10 Nollywood actors who passed away during the eight-month period:

Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)

Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, died on August 23, 2026, after a battle with stage-four cancer. Renowned for his roles in Yoruba-language films and his distinct screen presence, Hassan built a career spanning decades as a pillar of indigenous Nigerian cinema.

Temitope Osoba

Actress Temitope Osoba died on August 5, 2026, following a prolonged battle with breast cancer. She gained popularity for her versatile roles in various Nollywood productions and remained active in the industry prior to her health struggles.

Taiwo Adeshina (Elegbeje Ado)

Actor Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, passed away on June 29, 2026, after a brief illness. He was a recognized figure in Yoruba cinema, noted for his comic timing and memorable character portrayals.

Alexx Ekubo

Popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo passed away on May 11, 2026, due to medical complications at Evercare Hospital in Lagos. The award-winning star was widely celebrated for his lead roles in major English-speaking Nollywood blockbusters and television series.

Oby Kechere (Madam Koi Koi)

Actress, filmmaker, and producer Oby Kechere, popularly known as Madam Koi Koi, died on April 27, 2026, after a prolonged illness. She became widely known for playing Ms. Koi Koi in the classic comedy film Aki na Ukwa. Kechere was also active behind the camera as a member of the Directors Guild of Nigeria.

Bamidele Oluwatope (Okemesi)

Actor Bamidele Oluwatope, known on screen as Okemesi, died on February 24, 2026. His death resulted from medication complications that subsequently led to a coma, ending his years of service to the Yoruba film sector.

Ajara Lasisi (Aunty Ajara)

Veteran screen personality Ajara Lasisi, affectionately known as Aunty Ajara, passed away on February 5, 2026. She succumbed to liver-related complications after decades of contributing to classic television and movie productions.

Kola Oyewo

Renowned actor and academic Kola Oyewo passed away following a lingering illness. Celebrated for his roles in iconic cultural plays and films such as Oronpoto and Koseegbe, Oyewo served for many years as a university lecturer alongside his acting career.

Davis Offor (Clarus)

Veteran actor Davis Offor, who captured national attention playing Clarus in the classic television sitcom The New Masquerade, died after an undisclosed health battle. His performance remains a foundational piece of Nigerian television history.

Fesogboye Oyewole (Feso Oyewole)

Actor and cultural performer Fesogboye Oyewole passed away mid-year after a health struggle. While his family kept the exact cause of death private, his contributions to indigenous theater and movie productions were widely acknowledged by colleagues.