By Suzan Sunday
The Nigerian film industry has recorded the loss of several talented actors in 2026, leaving fans, colleagues and the wider entertainment community mourning. From veteran Yoruba performers to popular Nollywood stars and rising talents, these actors made memorable contributions to Nigerian cinema and television. Here are 13 Nollywood actors who died in 2026 and the roles they will be remembered for.
The list is not exhaustive. Here are the of the 10 actors Nollywood lost to death in 2026:
1. Alexx Ekubo
Alexx Ekubo
Following complications from kidney cancer, popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40. His death was confirmed by reports from sources close to his family, while his funeral rites were later held in Lagos and Abia State.
Ekubo began his acting career in Nollywood after emerging as the first runner-up in the 2010 Mr. Nigeria contest. He became one of the recognisable faces in the Nigerian film industry, appearing in several popular productions.
Some of his notable movies included; A Man for the Weekend, The Blood Covenant, Devil in Agbada, Almajiri and Afamefuna: An Nwa-Boi Story. His role in Afamefuna was among his later performances that further showcased his versatility as an actor.
2. Oby Kechere (Madam Koi Koi)
Oby Kechere
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Cecilia Oby Kechere, popularly known as Madam Koi Koi, died on April 27, 2026, after a prolonged illness. Her death was announced by the Directors Guild of Nigeria, which described her as a respected member of the filmmaking community.
Kechere joined Nollywood in 2001 and made her acting debut in the popular film August Meeting. She later became widely recognised for her role as Ms Koi Koi in the 2002 comedy classic Aki na Ukwa, a role that helped make her familiar to Nigerian movie audiences.
Beyond acting, she also worked as a film producer and director, contributing to the Nigerian film industry for more than two decades.
3. Kola Oyewo
Kola Oyewo
Veteran Yoruba actor, dramatist and scholar Kola Oyewo died on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. His death was announced by fellow actor Kunle Afod, while his son, Adetoyese Oyewo, also confirmed that he died on Friday.
Oyewo was one of the respected figures in Nigerian theatre and cinema. He worked extensively on stage and screen and also contributed to the training of younger generations as an academic.
He was particularly remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of Lápítẹ̀ in the classic Yoruba film Saworoide. Other notable productions in which he appeared included Koseegbe and O Le Ku. His performance in Saworoide remains one of the roles many Nigerian movie lovers remember him for.
4. Taiwo Adeshina (Elegbeje Ado)
Taiwo Adeshina
Veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, died on June 29, 2026, at the age of 66, after a brief illness. His death was confirmed by filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi and fellow actor Kunle Afod.
Adeshina built a career spanning more than two decades in the Yoruba movie industry and became known for his commanding performances in traditional and historical productions. His stage name, Elegbeje Ado, came from one of the roles that made him widely recognised among Yoruba movie audiences.
He appeared in several classic Yoruba films, including Akeke, Oko Abiku, Kadara Mi and Ageku Abela. In the later years of his career, he devoted more time to Christian ministry and gospel filmmaking.
5. Patrick “Energy” Okoye
Patrick Okoye
Nollywood actor, lecturer and theatre practitioner Patrick “Energy” Okoye died in May 2026 at the age of 41. His death was announced through a post on his Instagram page, while fellow actor Ken Erics also confirmed the news and paid tribute to him.
Okoye was not only an actor but also a professor and lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He was also known as a singer, dancer and choreographer who mentored several young talents.
He appeared alongside notable Nollywood stars and was known for films such as Midnight Love, Old School, Finding a Wife, The Lion, The Jagaban and Over My Dead Body. His roles as traditional characters such as Igwe and Onowu also became part of his acting identity.
6. Fesogboye Oyewole (Feso Oyewole)
Fesogboye Oyewole
Veteran Yoruba actor Fesogboye Oyewole, popularly known as Feso Oyewole, died on May 29, 2026. His family confirmed his death in a statement released the following day, although the cause of his death was not disclosed.
Oyewole was a respected figure in the Yoruba movie industry and had built a long career as an actor. News of his death was first shared publicly by fellow actor and TAMPAN president Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin, before his family officially confirmed the passing.
He was remembered by colleagues and fans as one of the veteran faces who contributed to the growth of Yoruba-language cinema. His death came during a difficult period for the industry, with several other actors also passing away around the same period.
7. Bamidele Oluwatope (Okemesi)
Okemisi
Nollywood comic actor and content creator Bamidele Oluwatope, popularly known as Okemesi, died on February 24, 2026, after complications following treatment at a hospital. His death was announced by fellow actor Jeff “Tony Montana” Owolewa.
Okemesi was known for his comic performances and online content, where he often combined English, Yoruba and his Ekiti dialect. He also participated in talent competitions and built a following through comedy before establishing himself more firmly in Nollywood.
Some of his notable movie appearances included Dearest, Aborisade, Mebamu, The Order, Arewa Okunrin and Eyan Ni Mi. His comic style and use of the Ekiti dialect made him a recognisable figure among fans of Yoruba entertainment.
8. Ajara Lasisi (Aunty Ajara)
Aunty Ajara
Nollywood actress Ajara Lasisi, popularly known as Aunty Ajara, died on February 5, 2026, after a prolonged illness. Her death was confirmed by her brother, Ridwan Lasisi, who thanked Nigerians and members of the film industry for supporting her during her illness.
Aunty Ajara was particularly known in the Yoruba movie industry for her comic and supporting roles. She became a familiar face to audiences through her lively performances and appearances in Yoruba-language productions.
Some of the films she appeared in included Gingerrr, Queen Lateefah and Isiti, helping to establish her as a recognisable face among viewers of contemporary Yoruba movies.
9. Davis Offor (Clarus)
Davis Offor
Veteran actor Davis Offor, popularly remembered as Clarus, died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 85. He was best known for playing the character Clarus Mgbeojikwe in the iconic Nigerian television comedy series The New Masquerade.
Offor became a household name through his role as the mischievous houseboy Clarus in The New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most popular television programmes of its era. His comic performances alongside actors such as James Iroha, who played Gringory, made him a memorable figure in Nigerian television history.
His portrayal of Clarus remained the role that generations of Nigerian viewers continued to associate him with. He was also remembered for his contribution to the development of Nigerian television comedy.
10. Omooba Oluwasegun Oyeyemi
Omooba Oluwasegun Oyeyemi
Mount Zion actor Omooba Oluwasegun Oyeyemi died on June 10, 2026, at the age of 38. His death was announced by the Bowen University Alumni Association, which described him as a valued alumnus and member of its drama community.
Oyeyemi was particularly known for his role as Flora’s husband in the popular Christian movie series Abattoir, produced under the Mount Zion Film Productions banner and directed by Damilola Mike-Bamiloye.
His performance in Abattoir introduced him to a wider audience of Christian film lovers and established him as a familiar face in Nigeria’s gospel movie industry. His death at 38 was widely mourned by fans and colleagues in the Christian film community.
11. Solomon Akiyesi
Solomon Akiyesi
Solomon Akiyesi, a veteran actor and producer, died in his sleep in Abuja on April 26, 2026 according to the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
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