How Taiwo Hassan Became Known as Ogogo

Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, known to many as Ogogo, shared how he got the name that became a big part of his life and work in Yoruba films.

Hassan passed away on Sunday at the age of 66. In a 2024 chat with City People, he explained that "Ogogo" came from his family’s eulogy, called ‘Oriki’. He often recited this praise name during his early acting days.

In the interview published by City People on November 9, 2024, Hassan remembered starting his acting career as an Akede Oba. This role involved praising kings and chiefs by reciting their oriki.

He mentioned that his skill in reciting these praises earned him the nickname “Olohun Iyo” before his friends began calling him “Ogogo” after his family’s eulogy.

“The name Ogogo is my Oriki. Many don’t know how I started my acting career. I started with the role of an Akede Oba, meaning I was always doing Oriki (eulogy). I was always reciting the Oriki of Kings, Chiefs. I did it so well that people called me Olohun Iyo then,” he said.

Hassan said that when home videos became popular, he would praise people and himself during performances, often using lines from his family oriki.

“When we started home video, I will eulogise people and I will eulogise myself. I will say things like Emi omo Ogogo, a ku lodo……So, when we started doing modern play, my friends now said Ogogo Wa Joor, that is how the name Ogogo came to stay. It is my Oriki. It is my fathers Oriki. I always recite it,” he explained.

The actor noted that this praise name became part of his professional identity as his career grew.

“Emi Omo Ogogo a ku lodo, Omo ku lomi lomi……People like to hear it. I used to say it when we are doing plays on stage,” he added.

Hassan began acting in 1981 and became one of the best-known figures in Yoruba-language cinema.

His career lasted over forty years. He worked as an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, and appeared in many films.

Hassan was also one of the co-founders of the Odunfa Caucus, a key theatre group that helped many Yoruba actors rise to fame.

He died at 3pm on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as stated in a burial announcement by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

His daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, revealed earlier that he was battling stage-four cancer and asked for medical help as his health declined.

Hassan was laid to rest in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday in line with Islamic customs.