10 Nollywood stars who battled cancer before deaths

The Nigerian film industry has experienced a significant loss of talent due to prolonged battles with cancer, as several actors and actresses have passed away, with some publicly seeking financial assistance for treatment. Among the notable victims are veteran stars such as Taiwo Hassan, also known as Ogogo, Alexx Ekubo, and Atinuke Kareem.

Hassan, a Yoruba actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter, passed away in August 2026 at the age of 66, with his family disclosing that he had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. His daughter, Kira Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance shortly before his death, as chemotherapy was no longer an option. Alexx Ekubo, a 40-year-old actor, died in May 2026 following complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer, after what his family described as a brief but courageous battle.

Atinuke Kareem, a 53-year-old actress, lost her battle with breast cancer on September 1, 2026, having previously made a public appeal for financial assistance for her treatment.

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