Ogogo: Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Quadri, Kosoko, FUMAN, others mourn veteran actor

By Adebola Muili

President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, veteran Nollywood actors and the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN) have mourned the death of veteran actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

Ogogo, 66, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer and was buried on Monday in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

In a condolence message issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Ogogo as a distinguished artiste whose decades-long career contributed significantly to the development of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.

The President said Ogogo’s distinctive acting style, powerful screen presence and dedication to his craft enabled him to entertain generations of Nigerians while promoting Yoruba culture and the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Tinubu said the late actor’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history, while his mentorship and influence on younger artistes further demonstrated his enduring legacy.

“Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artiste who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage and entertain audiences at home and abroad.

“His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and the entire Nigerian creative community,” the President said.

He urged members of the creative industry and Nigerians to honour Ogogo’s memory by preserving and building on the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he devoted his life.

Tinubu, on behalf of the Federal Government, commiserated with the deceased’s family, colleagues, friends and admirers, praying that Almighty Allah would grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.

The President recalled that before achieving fame in the entertainment industry, Ogogo worked as a mechanic with the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years.

He began his acting career in 1981 while combining it with his mechanic job before leaving the service in 1994 to pursue acting full-time.

Also mourning the veteran actor, Sanwo-Olu described his death as “deeply hurtful and heartbreaking”, saying Ogogo’s demise was a significant loss to Nigeria, particularly the creative industry.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor described Ogogo as “a bundle of talent” who used his God-given gift to enrich lives and bring smiles to many through his roles in various films.

Sanwo-Olu said the late actor’s cinematic performances “mirrored the society, moulded character and left a lasting impact in many generations of film lovers.”

He extended his condolences to Ogogo’s children, family, friends, colleagues, fans and other practitioners in the entertainment industry, urging them to accept his death as an act of God.

“Ogogo’s death is a profound loss to his family, colleagues, the entertainment industry, and Nigeria. His departure has created a vacuum that will take time to fill in the entertainment sector. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, fans, and colleagues,” the governor said.

At Ogogo’s burial in Ilaro on Monday, emotions ran high among his colleagues, with veteran actor Yinka Quadri reportedly breaking down in tears as he joined other mourners to bid farewell to his longtime colleague.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko was also among the prominent Nollywood personalities who attended the final rites, alongside other colleagues and friends of the deceased.

Other practitioners who gathered in Ilaro to honour Ogogo included Faithia Williams, Femi Adebayo, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Toyosi Adesanya and other figures in the Yoruba film industry.

Also mourning the actor was the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), under the leadership of its President, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Agboola, popularly known as SK Sensation.

In a statement issued on Monday by the National Public Relations Officer of the association, King Kakaki Safari, FUMAN described Ogogo’s death as “a great loss to the entire entertainment industry.”

Safari, on behalf of the association’s leadership and members, commiserated with Ogogo’s family, colleagues, friends and fans, noting that the deceased made significant contributions to Nigeria’s entertainment industry during his lifetime.

Ogogo’s death marks the loss of one of the enduring figures of Yoruba-language cinema, where he spent several decades as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter.

His contributions to indigenous Nigerian cinema, according to mourners, will remain part of his enduring legacy.