10 Nollywood Actors Who Fought Cancer Before They Died

The Nigerian film industry has lost many actors and actresses to cancer. Some of them sought help for treatment before passing away. This has brought attention to the difficulties of cancer care in Nigeria.

Here are 10 Nollywood stars who fought cancer before their deaths.

Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)
Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo, was a well-known Yoruba actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter. He died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66. His family revealed shortly before his death that he had stage-four cancer. His daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, asked for help with medical expenses after doctors said he could no longer get chemotherapy due to his condition.

Kira confirmed her father's death during an emotional Instagram Live session. Several Nigerian media outlets reported on his diagnosis and death. The specific type and location of his cancer were not disclosed in the reports.

Alexx Ekubo
Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo passed away on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40. His family later said he died due to complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer after a short but brave fight.

He was buried in Arochukwu, Abia State, in June. Ekubo was known for films like Weekend Getaway, Lagos Cougars, The Bling Lagosians, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and A Sunday Affair.

Atinuke Remilekun Kareem
Actress Atinuke Remilekun Kareem died on September 1, 2026, after fighting breast cancer. Her death was announced by the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria.

Kareem had publicly asked for financial help for her treatment. She mentioned that she was a breast cancer patient and that her family and TAMPAN had spent a lot on her care. She also had two young children.

Tom Njemanze
Veteran actor Tom Njemanze died on July 18, 2025, at the age of 75 after battling prostate cancer. Days before he passed, colleagues asked for financial help for his surgery and treatment. Njemanze had shared his cancer diagnosis publicly.

He was known for classic Nollywood films like Issakaba, Osuofia in London, Pounds and Dollars, Brain Box, and Twin Brothers.

Stella Ikwuegbu
Veteran actress Stella Ikwuegbu died on June 16, 2024, after what her colleagues called a fight with leg cancer. Movie producer Stanley Nwoko, known as Stanley Ontop, announced her death.

Ikwuegbu started acting in 1990 and appeared in films like Spoiler, Ukwa, Sound of Love, Holy Man, Two Hearts, Heart of Stone, and Madam Koikoi. Her exact age was not confirmed in Nigerian reports.

Sadiq Daba
Veteran actor and broadcaster Sadiq Daba died on March 3, 2021, at the age of 69 after a long fight with leukaemia and prostate cancer. Daba disclosed his diagnoses in 2017 and received financial aid from Nigerians for his treatment.

He was famous for his role as Inspector Waziri in Kunle Afolayan’s October 1. His death was confirmed by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and his family.

Karibi Fubara
Actor and producer Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after fighting kidney cancer. In 2020, he revealed that he had a large kidney tumour. Reports said he had surgery where about 90 percent of the tumour was removed, and he continued treatment after that.

His sister, Stella Fubara, announced his death in December 2021, calling him a warrior. Fubara was known for his roles in God Calling, Smart Money Woman, Castle & Castle, Royal Hibiscus Hotel, and Quam’s Money.

Ify Onwuemene
Nollywood actress Ify Onwuemene died on May 25, 2021, after years battling endometrial cancer. She was best known for her role in the TV series Everyday People. Onwuemene had surgery to remove her womb and went through several rounds of chemotherapy.

Her colleague, Gloria Anozie-Young, said Onwuemene was told in 2019 that she had reached stage four after eight rounds of chemotherapy. Anozie-Young was unsure if the diagnosis or treatment was correct. Onwuemene also had repeated procedures to drain fluid from her abdomen and received help from colleagues and the public.

Aisha Abimbola (Omoge Campus)
Yoruba actress and producer Aisha Abimbola, known as Omoge Campus, died in Canada in May 2018 after fighting breast cancer. Her death had some uncertainty over the cause, but the Actors Guild of Nigeria and actress Lola Alao later confirmed that she had breast cancer.

PUNCH reported that she was getting treatment in Canada and was 46 years old, though some sources later said she was 47. Abimbola became famous after starring in the 2001 film Omoge Campus and appeared in productions like No Pain, No Gain, Awerijaye, and So Wrong So Right.

Doris Chima
Veteran actress Doris Chima died on August 16, 2021, after battling breast cancer for over six years. She was 63. Emeka Rising Ibe, the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, confirmed her death.

Rising said Chima had complications from the disease and had undergone a mastectomy. Chima was a founding member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and had served as vice-chairperson of the guild’s Lagos chapter. She featured in various Nollywood films, including Critical Condition, Taboo II, Sweet Mother, and Divided Love.