The recent passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has cast a somber mood over Nigeria’s entertainment industry and reignited conversations about the devastating impact of cancer on Nollywood .
The 66-year-old Yoruba cinema icon died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a private battle with stage-four cancer .
His daughters, Kira and Haleemah, had made emotional appeals for medical assistance just days before his death, revealing the severity of his condition.
Ogogo’s death is a profound loss to the industry he served for over four decades. As an actor, producer, and director, he left an indelible mark on Yoruba cinema, with memorable roles in films like ‘Owo Blow’, ‘Omo Ghetto’, and ‘Aníkúlápó’.
His passing has drawn an outpouring of grief from colleagues, including actor Saheed Balogun, who wrote on Instagram: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. You can rest now my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful”.
Sadly, Ogogo’s story is not unique. Over the years, several other prominent Nollywood stars have succumbed to different forms of cancer.
Nollywood stars lost to cancer
Alexx Ekubo
Alexx died on May 11, 2026, at age 40 from complications linked to advanced metastatic kidney cancer. His family revealed that “throughout this difficult journey, he bore his pain with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope”. The actor, known for films like ‘Weekend Getaway’ and ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’, had largely kept his illness private.
Tom Njemanze
The actor passed away in July 2025 at 75 after battling prostate cancer. Before his death, colleagues had appealed to the public for financial assistance as he received treatment in the hospital. Njemanze was famous for his roles in ‘Issakaba’, ‘Osuofia in London’, and ‘Pounds and Dollars’.
Stella Ikwuegbu
She died on June 16, 2024, after fighting what colleagues described as leg cancer. The veteran actress, known for playing motherly and elderly characters, had her death announced by movie producer Stanley Nwoko.
Ethel Ekpe
Ethel Ekpe passed away in February 2024 after a battle with cancer, the specific type of which was not publicly disclosed. She became a household name for her role as Segi in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s classic television comedy series ‘Basi and Company’.
Karibi Fubara
Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after battling kidney cancer. He had disclosed in 2020 that doctors had discovered a large, mid-stage kidney tumour. He underwent surgery to remove about 90 per cent of it but passed away about 19 months later.
Sadiq Daba
Sadiq Daba, a veteran actor and broadcaster, died on March 3, 2021, after battling leukaemia and prostate cancer. He received treatment both in Nigeria and abroad, supported by well-wishers. Daba was celebrated for his role in the television series ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’ and his award-winning performance as Inspector Waziri in Kunle Afolayan’s ‘October 1’.
Doris Chima
Doris Chima died in August 2021 after a six-year battle with breast cancer. The Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Lagos State at the time, Emeka Rising Ibe, confirmed her death .
Ify Onwuemene
Ify Onwuemene died on May 25, 2021, after battling stage-four endometrial cancer. According to her colleague, Gloria Anozie-Young, the actress underwent surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy during her treatment. She was widely recognized for playing the wife of Sam Loco Efe’s character in the television series ‘Everyday People’.
Aisha Abimbola
Aisha Abimbola, popularly known as Omoge Campus, died in a Canadian hospital in May 2018 after a battle with breast cancer. The Yoruba actress rose to fame after her appearance in the 2001 film ‘Omoge Campus’.
The deaths of these actors serve as a stark reminder of the toll cancer continues to take on Nollywood. While some fought their illnesses publicly, others kept their diagnoses private until the very end, leaving fans and colleagues in shock.
