Veteran Kannywood Actress Wasila Isma’il Dies At 46

Veteran Kannywood actress Wasila Isma’il has died at the age of 46, leaving colleagues and fans within the Hausa film industry in mourning.

In a post, her death was confirmed on Sunday, May 24, 2026, by her ex-husband, Al-Amin Chiroma, who announced that she died following a prolonged illness. She passed away at the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hospital in Kaduna.

He said: “Innalillahi Wainna IIaihirrajiun. Wasila Isma’il is dead.”

Wasila is a prominent figure in the Kannywood film industry and is widely known for several roles in Hausa films.

Her acting career began in 1998, when she acted in a movie titled “Jinin Masoya”. She then rose to fame in 1999 in the movie “Wasila”, which was originally titled “Jamila”.

She asked for the title to be changed to protect her personal reputation, and the name eventually became so iconic that it stuck with her throughout her career.

She also appeared alongside veteran actors, including Ali Nuhu, who played her husband in the film that brought her into the spotlight, directed by Yakubu Lere.

The Late actress is survived by her children.