Sowore, Atiku Mourn Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Tributes Pour In

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have joined the growing tributes to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following his death after a battle with cancer.

Sowore, in a condolence message, expressed sympathy to Ogogo’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider Nollywood community, describing the actor as an extraordinary performer whose distinctive voice and commanding presence made him instantly recognisable on screen.

He noted that Hassan had spent more than four decades contributing to Yoruba cinema and Nigeria’s wider film industry.

“My profound condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Nollywood community in Nigeria over the untimely passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan popularly known as Ogogo, who died today following a battle with cancer,” Sowore said.

According to him, Ogogo’s unique acting style and remarkable performances earned him a lasting place in Nigeria’s film history.

Sowore concluded his tribute by praying for the late actor to “rest in power” and adding, “May the force continue to be with him!”

Atiku also described the actor’s death as deeply saddening, particularly coming only days after Nigerians became aware of his battle with cancer.

“The news of the passing of celebrated Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, is deeply saddening,” Atiku said.

The former vice president said Ogogo was more than a talented actor, noting that he used his career to entertain, educate and inspire audiences across generations.

He said the actor brought laughter into countless homes and told stories that reflected Nigerian society while using his talent to promote social change.

Atiku said Hassan’s death had created a painful void in Nigeria’s creative industry and among the millions of people who admired his work.

He extended his condolences to the actor’s family, colleagues and admirers in Nigeria and around the world.

Atiku also prayed for Allah to forgive Hassan’s shortcomings, comfort his loved ones and grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

The tributes come as Nigerians continue to mourn the 66-year-old actor, whose death followed an emotional appeal by his daughters for urgent medical assistance after the family learnt of the severity of his condition.

Ogogo was one of the prominent faces of Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

Lagos Government Mourns Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’

The Lagos State Government has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor and cultural icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Hassan’s death as a major loss to the creative and cultural community.

Benson-Awoyinka extended the ministry’s condolences to the actor’s family, friends, colleagues and members of the Nollywood and wider creative arts community.

The commissioner described Hassan as more than an actor, noting that he played an important role in promoting and preserving Yoruba culture through his decades-long career.

According to her, the late actor was a custodian of culture and a gifted storyteller who used his work on stage and screen to showcase Yoruba heritage while entertaining generations of Nigerians.

She said Hassan’s contributions to Yoruba culture, theatre and the entertainment industry helped shape the cultural landscape of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Taiwo Hassan was more than an actor. He was a custodian of culture, a gifted storyteller, and a proud ambassador of Yoruba heritage,” Benson-Awoyinka said.

She added that his dedication to the creative sector had left a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.

The ministry also commiserated with Hassan’s family and the entire Nollywood community, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss to those who were touched by his talent, passion and warmth.

“We pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” the commissioner stated.

Hassan, who died at the age of 66 after battling cancer, was one of the notable figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

His death has continued to attract tributes from government officials, colleagues and admirers across Nigeria.

Yayi Mourns Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Family Prepares for Burial

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has mourned veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following his death after a battle with cancer.

In a condolence message issued through his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, Adeola described the actor’s death as a major loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry, Ogun State and the country at large.

Adeola said he was particularly saddened by the death of Hassan, whom he described as a brother who had worked actively in support of his political cause and the interests of their people.

“I am greatly saddened by the death of a brother who believed and worked assiduously for my cause and the cause of our people,” Adeola said.

He commiserated with Ogogo’s immediate family, acknowledging their efforts to keep the actor alive during his illness, and prayed for them to find strength during the difficult period.

The senator also noted Hassan’s contributions to society through filmmaking and advocacy, saying his positive impact would remain part of his legacy.

Adeola promised to continue supporting the actor’s family during their period of mourning, adding that the good deeds of the late actor would not be forgotten.

The development comes as tributes continue to pour in for the veteran actor, following confirmation of his death by members of his family and people close to him.

Ogogo’s daughter, Kaira Taiwo, was seen in an emotional Instagram live session on Sunday, where she struggled to contain her emotions while speaking about her father’s death.

Fellow actor and filmmaker Saheed Balogun also paid tribute to the late actor in an Instagram post.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. You can rest now, my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful,” Balogun wrote.

Ogogo’s death came only days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, publicly appealed for urgent medical assistance for their father.

The sisters had disclosed that the family recently became aware of the seriousness of his condition and were seeking medical direction, including access to specialists and advanced treatment facilities.

Kaira had also revealed that doctors treating the actor had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition, prompting the family to seek other possible treatment options.

The veteran actor, who was 66, was one of the prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer, director and filmmaker.

His death has continued to generate reactions across the entertainment industry and beyond, with colleagues, political figures and admirers remembering his contribution to Nigerian cinema.

The family is expected to commence burial arrangements for the late actor on Monday, according to information emerging following his death.

Nollywood Mourns Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Colleagues Rally Around Veteran Actor’s Family

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66.

Ogogo’s death was confirmed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with his daughter, Kira Taiwo, announcing the development during a live session. Fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed the death to TheCable. 

The actor’s passing came just days after colleagues, friends and members of the public rallied around his family following the revelation that he was battling stage-four cancer.

Before his death, several prominent figures in the Yoruba entertainment industry had publicly expressed concern over his deteriorating health and joined calls for prayers and medical assistance.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had earlier spoken on the enormous response from people seeking to assist Ogogo, revealing that the family had received hundreds of offers of medical, spiritual and other forms of help.

Kosoko appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for Ogogo while explaining that moving the actor from the hospital for alternative treatment was difficult because of his condition. 

Ogogo’s longtime friend and fellow veteran actor Yinka Quadri also expressed solidarity with him during the health crisis.

Quadri shared an edited photograph of himself with Ogogo on Instagram and acknowledged the widespread concern and prayers being offered for his friend. His post attracted emotional reactions from fans and colleagues who were following Ogogo’s condition. 

Another emotional moment came from veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba, who publicly prayed for Ogogo during a wedding ceremony on Sunday.

Ayuba, who was performing at the event, reportedly spoke about Ogogo’s condition after seeing Yinka Quadri at the venue. He prayed for Ogogo’s recovery and recalled a previous holy pilgrimage they had undertaken together.

The moment was particularly emotional because it occurred on the same day reports of Ogogo’s death emerged. At the time of Ayuba’s prayer, the singer was still publicly expressing hope for his friend’s recovery. 

The entertainment community had also gathered for a special prayer session for Ogogo as his health deteriorated. Several veteran Yoruba actors and filmmakers were among those who came together to pray for the actor and offer support to his family. 

Ogogo’s daughters, Lima and Kira, had earlier made emotional appeals for assistance, revealing that the family only became aware of the seriousness of his condition weeks before.

They said they were not seeking financial donations but needed access to medical professionals, hospitals and specialists who could provide possible treatment options.

Kira later disclosed that doctors had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of the advanced stage of the cancer.

The family’s appeal generated widespread concern across Nigeria, with fans and colleagues hoping that another treatment option could be found.

However, Ogogo has now died, bringing an end to the desperate search for medical assistance that had dominated discussions around the actor in recent days.

His death also comes only five days after his family dismissed an earlier social media report claiming that he had died.

On August 18, Lima Taiwo described that report as false and urged members of the public to stop spreading fake information about her father. 

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language Nollywood, building a career that spanned several decades as an actor, producer, director and filmmaker.

His passing has left fans and colleagues mourning a veteran whose career helped shape Yoruba cinema and whose work remained familiar to generations of Nigerian movie audiences.

More tributes from colleagues, entertainers and other public figures are expected to emerge as the industry comes to terms with his death.