The Nigerian entertainment industry has been deeply affected by cancer, claiming the lives of numerous talented actors and musicians. While some celebrities openly shared their health battles, others chose to keep their struggles private until the end. The recent passing of prominent actor Alex Ekubo has reignited public discourse on this devastating illness.
Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, beloved for his roles in many films, died on May 11, 2026, due to complications from kidney cancer. His death has shocked fans and colleagues alike, highlighting the urgent need for cancer awareness and early detection.
Veteran actor Tom Njemanze lost his battle with prostate cancer on July 18, 2025, at the age of 75. He had sought financial assistance for surgery just three weeks prior to his demise.
Ify Onwuemene, known for her role in “Everyday People,” passed away on May 25, 2021, after a prolonged fight with stage 4 endometrial cancer. Despite undergoing eight chemotherapy sessions and a hysterectomy, she ultimately succumbed to the disease.
Aishat Abimbola, popularly called Omoge Campus, died in Canada on May 15, 2018, after a struggle with breast cancer. Similarly, actress Doris Chima, a former chairperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Lagos State, died in August 2021 from complications related to breast cancer, having previously lost one breast to the illness.
Nollywood actor Karibi Fubara passed away in December 2021 from kidney cancer. Just a year earlier, he had undergone surgery to remove 90 percent of a kidney tumor.
The music industry also mourns legendary reggae singer Majek Fashek, who died in June 2020 after battling esophageal cancer. Fellow icon Sonny Okosun, a 61-year-old political activist and musician, succumbed to colon cancer on May 24, 2008, in Washington.
Gospel singer Aduke Gold died from cervical cancer on August 11, 2024, at the University College Hospital in Ibadan. Sound Sultan, whose real name was Olanrewaju Fasasi, passed away in the United States on July 11, 2021, at age 44, after fighting a rare form of blood cancer known as angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
These losses serve as a somber reminder of cancer’s indiscriminate nature and the importance of regular health screenings and support for those affected.