Veteran Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Dies at 66

By Cynthia Okere, Lagos

Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.

Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with veteran actor Jide Kosoko announcing that he passed away at about 3 p.m. His death was also announced by his daughter during an Instagram Live session.

The respected Yoruba actor was buried on Monday, August 24, in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, in accordance with Islamic rites. Family members, colleagues, friends and residents gathered in the town to pay their last respects.

The Ilaro Muslim Community had announced that the Janazah prayer would hold at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground. Several Nollywood personalities, including Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri and Ireti Osayemi, were among those who gathered in Ilaro for the funeral rites.

Hassan’s death came days after his family disclosed publicly that he was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for assistance with his treatment.

The Ogun State Government, while mourning the actor, described his death as a major loss to the state and Nigeria’s creative industry. It praised his contribution to the promotion of Yoruba language, traditions and cultural heritage through theatre, film and television.

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, building a career spanning more than four decades as an actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. His performances made him a familiar face to generations of Nigerian movie audiences.

His death has continued to draw tributes from colleagues, political figures and fans across Nigeria.