The Nigerian film industry has lost several of its actors and actresses after prolonged battles with cancer, with some publicly seeking financial assistance for treatment before their deaths.
From veteran stars such as Sadiq Daba and Stella Ikwuegbu to more recent losses including Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, Alexx Ekubo and Atinuke Kareem, their illnesses have drawn public attention to the challenges associated with cancer treatment.
Here are 10 Nollywood stars who battled cancer before their deaths.
1. Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)
Veteran Yoruba actor, filmmaker and screenwriter Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.
His family publicly disclosed shortly before his death that he had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. His daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance after doctors reportedly told the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition.
Hassan’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira, during an emotional Instagram Live session. His death and the diagnosis were subsequently reported by several Nigerian media organisations.
The specific type and location of his cancer were not publicly confirmed in the reports reviewed.
2. Alexx Ekubo
Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40.
His family later confirmed that he died following complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer after what it described as a brief but courageous battle.
Ekubo was buried in Arochukwu, Abia State, in June. He was known for films including Weekend Getaway, Lagos Cougars, The Bling Lagosians, Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Sunday Affair.
3. Actress Atinuke Kareem
Actress Atinuke Kareem. Credit: Instagram| atinukekareem_remi
Yoruba actress Atinuke Remilekun Kareem died on September 1, 2026, after battling breast cancer.
Her death was announced by the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria.
Kareem had previously made a public appeal for financial assistance for her treatment, saying she was a breast cancer patient and that her family and TAMPAN had spent substantial amounts on her care.
She also disclosed that she had two young children.
4. Tom Njemanze
Veteran actor Tom Njemanze died on July 18, 2025, at the age of 75, after battling prostate cancer.
Days before his death, colleagues appealed for financial assistance for his treatment and surgery. Njemanze had publicly disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
The actor was known for his roles in classic Nollywood productions including Issakaba, Osuofia in London, Pounds and Dollars, Brain Box and Twin Brothers.
5. Stella Ikwuegbu
Nollywood actress Stella Ikwuegbu
Veteran actress Stella Ikwuegbu died on June 16, 2024, after what her colleagues described as a battle with leg cancer.
Her death was announced by movie producer Stanley Nwoko, popularly known as Stanley Ontop.
Ikwuegbu began her acting career in 1990 and featured in films including Spoiler, Ukwa, Sound of Love, Holy Man, Two Hearts, Heart of Stone and Madam Koikoi.
Her exact age was not reliably established in the Nigerian reports reviewed.
6. Sadiq Daba
Veteran actor and broadcaster Sadiq Daba died on March 3, 2021, at the age of 69, after a long battle with leukaemia and prostate cancer.
Daba had publicly disclosed his diagnoses in 2017 and received financial support from Nigerians for treatment in Nigeria and abroad.
He was widely known for his role as Inspector Waziri in Kunle Afolayan’s October 1, for which he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor.
His death was confirmed by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and his family.
7. Karibi Fubara
Actor and producer Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after battling kidney cancer.
Fubara revealed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with a large kidney tumour. Reports at the time said he underwent surgery during which about 90 per cent of the tumour was removed, after which he continued treatment.
His sister, Stella Fubara, announced his death in December 2021, describing him as a warrior.
Fubara was known for his roles in productions including God Calling, Smart Money Woman, Castle & Castle, Royal Hibiscus Hotel and Quam’s Money.
8. Ify Onwuemene
Nollywood actress Ify Onwuemene died on May 25, 2021, after years of battling endometrial cancer.
The actress, best known for her role in the television series Everyday People, had undergone surgery to remove her womb and received several rounds of chemotherapy.
Her colleague, Gloria Anozie-Young, said Onwuemene was told in 2019 that she had reached stage four after eight sessions of chemotherapy. However, Anozie-Young also expressed uncertainty at the time about whether the diagnosis or treatment had been correct.
Onwuemene also underwent repeated medical procedures to drain fluid from her abdomen during her illness and received financial support from colleagues and members of the public.
9. Aisha Abimbola (Omoge Campus)
Yoruba actress and producer Aisha Abimbola, popularly known as Omoge Campus, died in Canada in May 2018 after battling breast cancer.
Her death was initially reported with some uncertainty over the cause, but the Actors Guild of Nigeria and actress Lola Alao subsequently confirmed that she had suffered from breast cancer.
At the time that she was receiving treatment in Canada and was aged 46, although some later biographical sources have listed her age as 47.
Abimbola rose to prominence after featuring in the 2001 film Omoge Campus and also appeared in productions including No Pain, No Gain, Awerijaye and So Wrong So Right.
10. Doris Chima
Veteran actress Doris Chima died on August 16, 2021, after battling breast cancer for more than six years. She was 63.
The Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Emeka Rising Ibe, confirmed her death.
Rising said Chima had suffered complications associated with the disease and had previously undergone a mastectomy.
Chima was a foundation member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and had served as vice-chairperson of the guild’s Lagos chapter. She featured in several Nollywood productions, including Critical Condition, Taboo II, Sweet Mother and Divided Love.
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