10 Nollywood Actors Who Lost Their Lives to Cancer
Kehinde Adeleye
The death of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has renewed attention on Nigerian actors who lost their lives after battling cancer.
Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66. His daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed his death in an emotional live video.
Days before his death, Kira and her sister, Haleemah, revealed that their father was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for medical assistance.
Ogogo’s death has brought back memories of other Nigerian actors who fought cancer before their deaths.
Here are 10 Nollywood actors who lost their lives after battling cancer:
1. Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’
Ogogo had a career spanning more than four decades and featured in several Yoruba and English-language films.
He was known for movies such as Owo Blow, Omo Ghetto and Aníkúlápó.
He died after battling stage-four cancer, although the specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed.
2. Alexx Ekubo
Alexx Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40.
His family said he died at Evercare Hospital from complications related to advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
He featured in movies including Weekend Getaway, Lagos Cougars, The Bling Lagosians, Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Sunday Affair.
3. Tom Njemanze
Veteran actor Tom Njemanze died in July 2025 at the age of 75 after battling prostate cancer.
He was known for his roles in films such as Issakaba, Osuofia in London, Pounds and Dollars, Brain Box and Twin Brothers.
4. Stella Ikwuegbu
Veteran actress Stella Ikwuegbu died on June 16, 2024, after battling what colleagues described as leg cancer.
She was popular for playing motherly and elderly roles in several Nollywood productions.
5. Ethel Ekpe
Ethel Ekpe died in February 2024 after battling cancer.
She became famous for playing Segi in the popular television comedy series Basi and Company.
She also appeared in Forever, Sons of the Caliphate and other productions.
6. Karibi Fubara
Actor and producer Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after battling kidney cancer.
He revealed in 2020 that doctors had discovered a kidney tumour and later underwent surgery.
Fubara featured in God Calling, Smart Money Woman, Castle and Castle and Quam’s Money.
7. Sadiq Daba
Veteran actor and broadcaster Sadiq Daba died on March 3, 2021, after battling leukaemia and prostate cancer.
He became widely known for his role in Cockcrow at Dawn and later played Inspector Waziri in October 1.
His performance in October 1 earned him the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor.
8. Doris Chima
Veteran actress Doris Chima died in August 2021 after battling breast cancer for several years.
She featured in several Nollywood productions before her illness kept her away from acting.
9. Ify Onwuemene
Ifeyinwa Onwuemene, popularly known as Ify Onwuemene, died on May 25, 2021, after battling stage-four endometrial cancer.
She was known for her role in the television series Everyday People, where she played the wife of Sam Loco Efe’s character.
10. Aisha Abimbola
Yoruba actress Aisha Abimbola, popularly known as Omoge Campus, died in May 2018 after battling breast cancer.
She rose to fame through the 2001 film Omoge Campus and also appeared in No Pain, No Gain, Awerijaye, So Wrong So Right and Kamson and Neighbours.
The deaths of these actors highlight the impact cancer has had on the Nigerian entertainment industry, with some celebrities battling the disease publicly while others kept their health struggles private.
