Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor Fabian Adibe, who passed away at the age of 82.
Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, confirmed the sad news in a post on Wednesday morning.
“Things Fall Apart actor, Fabian Adibie, is dead. Died 2:30 am this morning,” Oloketuyi wrote on social media.
Adibe, who was widely respected for his role in the screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, was celebrated as one of the pioneers of Nollywood. His decades-long career saw him appear in several classics, earning him recognition as a seasoned actor who defined an era.
Tributes have been pouring in since news of his death broke. Fans and colleagues alike described him as “a true legend” whose impact will never be forgotten.
Chinonso David, a Nollywood fan, wrote, “This one pain me. Fabian Adibe was part of my childhood movies. Rest well, legend.”
Actress Uche Ebere also shared, “Another legend gone. Rest in peace Fabian Adibe. Nollywood is really losing too many icons.”
His passing comes in a year already marked by the loss of several Nollywood figures. In February, Columbus Irisoanga, best remembered as the chief priest in the 2001 blockbuster Isakaba, died at 67.
Tom Njemanze, known for his roles in Tokunboh, Pounds and Dollars, and Osuofia in London, passed away in July at 75 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Comic legend John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, died at 62 from cardiac arrest, while Yoruba actor and producer Murphy Afolabi tragically died at 49 after slipping in his bathroom.
Others who died this year include Onyeka Onwenu, the celebrated singer and actress, who passed at 72 from a heart attack; Femi Ogunrombi, famously known as Papa Ajasco, who died at 60; and Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the African Movie Academy Awards, who passed at 53 after being in a coma.
The industry also lost Adedigba Mukaila, popularly known as Alafin Oro, at 50; Chikezie Uwazie after brain surgery in the United States; Zulu Adigwe, renowned for fatherly roles in films like Living in Bondage, who died at 64; and Monaisa Steven, a body positivity advocate and actress, who died in May in Lagos at 39.
With the death of Fabian Adibe, Nollywood continues to grieve the passing of some of its brightest stars, many of whom defined generations of African storytelling on screen.
