How late Nollywood legend Taiwo Hassan got the name ‘Ogogo’

Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, passed away on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66. Before his death, he revealed in a 2024 interview with City People how he acquired the name "Ogogo" that became synonymous with his identity and career in the Yoruba film industry. Hassan explained that "Ogogo" was part of his family's eulogy, known as Oriki, a traditional Yoruba praise name.

He frequently recited this praise poetry during his early acting days as an Akede Oba, a role where he recited the oriki of kings and chiefs. The nickname "Olohun Iyo" was given to him for his ability to recite the praise poetry. When home videos became popular, Hassan started eulogising people and himself, using lines from his family's eulogy oriki. As his acting career grew, the name "Ogogo" became his professional identity.