Nigeria’s film industry has produced many actors who became household names across Africa. Over the years, Nollywood, Yoruba cinema and Kannywood have also lost many of these stars. This guide lists Nigerian actors who passed away, from industry pioneers to recent Nollywood favourites. It also covers actors who died in 2024, 2025 and 2026, alongside veteran performers who helped shape Nigerian cinema.
Top Nigerian Actors Who Passed Away
| Name | Died | Film Industry | Career Highlights |
| Hubert Ogunde | 1990 | Yoruba Theatre | Pioneer of modern Nigerian theatre |
| Ade Love | 1996 | Yoruba Cinema | Actor, filmmaker and founder of the Afolayan film legacy |
| Femi Robinson | 2006 | Television | Played Oga Titus in The New Masquerade |
| Ashley Nwosu | 2011 | Nollywood | Popular for romantic and family dramas |
| Sam Loco Efe | 2011 | Nollywood | Celebrated comic and character actor |
| James Iroha | 2012 | Television | Played Gringori in The New Masquerade |
| Enebeli Elebuwa | 2012 | Nollywood | Famous for powerful chief and elder roles |
| Justus Esiri | 2013 | Nollywood | Award-winning veteran actor |
| Rabilu Musa (Ibro) | 2014 | Kannywood | One of Hausa cinema’s greatest comedians |
| Amaka Igwe | 2014 | Nollywood | Actress, filmmaker and television producer |
| Muna Obiekwe | 2015 | Nollywood | Popular romantic lead |
| Moji Olaiya | 2017 | Yoruba Nollywood | Family and emotional dramas |
| Adebayo Faleti | 2017 | Yoruba Cinema | Actor, poet, broadcaster and writer |
| Kayode Odumosu (Pa Kasumu) | 2020 | Yoruba Nollywood | Veteran comic actor |
| Baba Suwe | 2021 | Yoruba Nollywood | Iconic Yoruba comedian |
| Rachel Oniga | 2021 | Nollywood | Family dramas and mother roles |
| Sadiq Daba | 2021 | Nollywood | October 1 and broadcasting career |
| Sam Obiago | 2021 | Nollywood | Supporting and family roles |
| Ada Ameh | 2022 | Nollywood | Emu Johnson in The Johnsons |
| Sola Onayiga | 2022 | Nollywood | Ireti in Fuji House of Commotion |
| Romanus Amuta (Natty) | 2022 | Nollywood | Character actor |
| Chinedu Bernard | 2022 | Nollywood | Rising actress |
| Saint Obi | 2023 | Nollywood | Romantic and action films |
| Cynthia Okereke | 2023 | Nollywood | Veteran actress |
| Murphy Afolabi | 2023 | Yoruba Nollywood | Actor, producer and director |
| Don Brymo Uchechukwu | 2023 | Nollywood | Traditional rulers and elder roles |
| John Okafor (Mr Ibu) | 2024 | Nollywood | Legendary comedy actor |
| Junior Pope | 2024 | Nollywood | Action and family films |
| Amaechi Muonagor | 2024 | Nollywood | Character actor in Aki na Ukwa, Igodo and Karishika |
| Zulu Adigwe | 2024 | Nollywood | Father and elder roles |
| Jimi Solanke | 2024 | Theatre/Nollywood | Storyteller, playwright and actor |
| Ethel Ekpe | 2024 | Nollywood | Segi in Basi and Company |
| Adejumoke Aderounmu | 2024 | Nollywood | Esther in Jenifa’s Diary |
| Sisi Quadri | 2024 | Yoruba Nollywood | Popular comic actor |
| Olofa Ina | 2024 | Yoruba Nollywood | Veteran actor and filmmaker |
| Ganiyu Oyeyemi (Ogunjimi) | 2024 | Yoruba Nollywood | Veteran indigenous actor |
| Charles Olumo (Agbako) | 2024 | Yoruba Nollywood | One of Nigeria’s oldest actors |
| Saratu Gidado (Daso) | 2024 | Kannywood | Popular Hausa film actress |
| Columbus Irosanga | 2025 | Nollywood | Issakaba and theatre lecturer |
| Pat Ugwu | 2025 | Nollywood | Rising actress |
| Fabian Adibe | 2025 | Nollywood | Ogbuefi Uzowulu in Things Fall Apart |
| Kayode Peters | 2025 | Television/Nollywood | Actor, producer and director |
| Obafemi Lasode | 2025 | Nollywood | Sango filmmaker and actor |
| Alexx Ekubo | 2026 | Nollywood | Weekend Getaway and Omo Ghetto: The Saga |
| Oby Kechere | 2026 | Nollywood | Film actress |
| Taiwo Adeshina | 2026 | Yoruba Nollywood | Veteran indigenous actor |
| Patrick Okoye | 2026 | Nollywood | Midnight Love and Old School |
| Fesogboye Oyewole | 2026 | Yoruba Nollywood | Veteran actor and producer |
| Bamidele Oluwatope (Okemesi) | 2026 | Yoruba Nollywood | Comic actor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Nigerian actors who passed away recently?
Recent losses include John Okafor (Mr Ibu), Junior Pope, Amaechi Muonagor, Sisi Quadri, Alexx Ekubo, Oby Kechere, Ajara Lasisi and Bamidele Oluwatope.
Which Nollywood actors died in 2026?
Alexx Ekubo, Oby Kechere, Ajara Lasisi and Bamidele Oluwatope.
Who are the most famous Nigerian actors who passed away?
Mr Ibu, Sam Loco Efe, Justus Esiri, Enebeli Elebuwa, Saint Obi and Junior Pope remain among Nollywood’s best-known stars.
Who are the young Nigerian actors who passed away?
Junior Pope, Alexx Ekubo and Muna Obiekwe were among the younger faces in Nollywood.
