The Nigerian entertainment industry has lost several notable actors and singers to cancer over the years, a trend that has sparked widespread discussion online. While some stars made their battles with the disease public, others kept it private until their passing.
The most recent and shocking loss was Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo, who died on May 11, 2026, from complications of kidney cancer. His death drew emotional tributes across the industry and reignited conversations about cancer awareness and early detection.
Veteran actor Tom Njemanze passed away on July 18, 2025, at 75 after a battle with prostate cancer. He died about three weeks after publicly seeking financial help for an urgent surgery.
Actress Ify Onwuemene, known for her role in Everyday People, died on May 25, 2021, following years of fighting stage 4 endometrial cancer. She had undergone eight chemotherapy sessions and a hysterectomy before her demise.
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Actress Aishat Abimbola, popularly called Omoge Campus, died in Canada on May 15, 2018, after battling breast cancer. Similarly, veteran actress Doris Chima died in August 2021 from complications after losing one of her breasts to breast cancer. Actor Karibi Fubara passed away in December 2021 from a kidney tumor, a year after undergoing surgery to remove 90 percent of the tumor.
The music industry has also felt the impact. Reggae legend Majek Fashek died in June 2020 after battling esophageal cancer. Musician and activist Sonny Okosuns died from colon cancer on May 24, 2008, in Washington at age 61. Gospel singer Aduke Gold passed away from cervical cancer on August 11, 2024, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
One of Nigeria’s most influential music icons, Olanrewaju Fasasi, known as Sound Sultan, died in the U.S. on July 11, 2021, at 44. He had been battling angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer.
These losses highlight the growing concern around cancer in Nigeria’s entertainment community and have fueled calls for greater awareness, early screening, and support for those affected.
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