FULL LIST: Nigerian Celebrities Who Died Between January and August 2026

 

From veteran actors and filmmakers to musicians and media personalities, Nigeria’s entertainment industry has suffered a string of notable losses in 2026.

By Victor Olubiye

Nigeria’s entertainment industry has recorded several notable deaths in the first eight months of 2026, with veteran actors, musicians, filmmakers and media personalities among those who have passed away.

The losses have cut across different parts of the creative industry, including Yoruba-language Nollywood, indigenous music, television production and the wider media space.

Among the latest was veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, whose death on August 23 came just days after the industry mourned several other personalities.

From Hassan to Juju musician Saint Janet and filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Temitope Osoba, the deaths have left colleagues, fans and families mourning across the country.

Here are 10 notable Nigerian entertainment personalities whose deaths were reported between January and August 2026:

1. Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ — Veteran Actor

Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.

His death followed a reported battle with stage-four cancer. His daughter, Kira Hassan, confirmed the development in an emotional social media appearance, while veteran actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed his death and announced burial arrangements.

Hassan was buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on August 24, a day after his death.

He spent decades in Yoruba-language Nollywood and became one of the recognisable figures in the sector, both as an actor and a cultural personality.

2. Temitope Osoba — Actress and Filmmaker

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Temitope Osoba died in August at the age of 40.

Fellow actor Alesh Sanni announced her death on August 5. Osoba had previously spoken publicly about her experience with breast cancer and had announced her return to acting after treatment.

The circumstances surrounding her death later became the subject of conflicting accounts.

Her family called for an investigation, while her fiancé also provided an account of events preceding her death. As of the latest reports contained in the material, the circumstances remained under scrutiny.

3. Saint Janet — Juju Musician

Popular Juju and Highlife musician Iyun Janet Ajilore, better known as Saint Janet, died in August following a brief illness.

Reports placed her death around August 1, with the development publicly announced on August 2.

Saint Janet, popularly called “Mama Yabis”, was known for energetic performances and music that often attracted controversy because of its explicit lyrics.

Her 2013 album, Faaji Plus, was reportedly subjected to bans following objections to its content.

Her death marked another loss for Nigeria’s indigenous popular music scene.

4. Dimbo Atiya — Filmmaker and Television Producer

Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and television producer Dimbo Atiya died on August 6, 2026.

Atiya was known for his work on television productions including Sons of the Caliphate and Halita.

His death was announced by Best of Nollywood Awards founder Seun Oloketuyi, while actors including Mofe Duncan joined others in paying tribute to him.

His death came only days after the industry had mourned other entertainment personalities.

Reports on Atiya’s age and cause of death have varied, so those details have not been presented as established facts.

5. Lara Kudayisi Don-Momoh ‘Coach Lara’ — Relationship Coach and Media Personality

Relationship expert and media personality Lara Kudayisi Don-Momoh died in August at the age of 42.

Her family announced her death on August 3, saying she had died peacefully after a brief illness.

Lara was the wife of Nigerian radio personality Teddy Don-Momoh. Her death came only weeks after the couple welcomed their first child together.

Her passing added to the losses recorded among prominent Nigerian entertainment and media personalities during the first week of August.

6. Alexx Ekubo — Actor

Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40, following a prolonged illness.

Reports from Nigerian and international outlets said he had been battling cancer. His death prompted tributes from colleagues and fans across the entertainment industry.

Ekubo was one of the recognisable faces of contemporary Nollywood and appeared in several films during his career.

He was later buried in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, following funeral activities in Lagos and Abia.

7. Oby Kechere ‘Ms Koi Koi’ — Actress, Filmmaker and Producer

Nigerian actress, filmmaker and producer Oby Kechere, popularly known as Ms Koi Koi, died on April 27, 2026, after a prolonged illness.

Kechere was known for her work behind and in front of the camera and gained wider recognition for her appearance in the popular Aki na Ukwa comedy film.

The Directors Guild of Nigeria confirmed her death and mourned her contributions to the industry.

Her Nollywood career began in the early 2000s and spanned acting, directing and film production.

8. Kola Oyewo — Veteran Actor, Dramatist and Scholar

Veteran actor, dramatist and scholar Kola Oyewo died on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80.

Oyewo was a major figure in Nigerian theatre, film and academia, with a career spanning several decades.

He was also a professor of theatre arts and had academic links with institutions including Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemers University and Elizade University.

Actor Kunle Afod announced his death and described him as a true legend, while recalling his contribution to Nigerian theatre and film.

Oyewo’s death was felt across both the performing arts and academic communities.

9. Taiwo Adeshina ‘Elegbeje Ado’ — Veteran Actor and Filmmaker

Veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, died on June 29, 2026.

His death followed a brief illness and was confirmed by Best of Nollywood Awards founder Seun Oloketuyi.

Adeshina was regarded as a respected figure in the Yoruba film industry and spent several decades contributing to indigenous Nigerian filmmaking.

His death added to the losses recorded in the Yoruba movie sector in 2026.

10. Solomon Akiyesi — Actor and Filmmaker

Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Solomon Akiyesi also died in 2026.

Reports said Akiyesi died in his sleep on April 26, 2026. The Actors Guild of Nigeria subsequently confirmed his death.

His remains were taken to a morgue in Abuja while the guild awaited further information from his family.

Akiyesi began his acting career in the late 1990s and appeared in more than 100 films during his career. He was also involved in film production.

His death was another loss for an industry that has mourned several experienced actors and filmmakers this year.

A difficult period for the industry

The deaths recorded between January and August cut across generations and sections of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

The concentration of deaths in early August was particularly striking, with Saint Janet, Temitope Osoba, Dimbo Atiya and Lara Kudayisi Don-Momoh all dying within days of one another, according to the reports provided.

Their careers were different, but each contributed to Nigeria’s entertainment and media landscape in one way or another.

For colleagues and audiences, the losses have meant saying goodbye to performers, storytellers and creative professionals whose work formed part of Nigeria’s evolving entertainment history.