The Nigerian entertainment industry is in mourning this week after the passing of beloved award-winning actor Alexx Ekubo, who died at 40 following a prolonged fight with cancer. Local media reports confirm Ekubo passed away on Monday night at a medical facility in Lagos, marking the end of a years-long career that left an indelible mark on both Nollywood and Nigerian humanitarian work.
Born in Rivers State on April 10, 1986, Ekubo rose through the ranks of Nollywood to become one of the industry’s most recognizable and celebrated figures. He landed his first on-screen role from veteran filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, who would later describe his former protégé’s passing as “devastating and unbelievable” in comments to Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper.
Throughout his decades-long career, Ekubo earned a raft of prestigious honors for his contributions to film, culture and public service. In 2018, Nigeria’s First Lady presented him with a Special Recognition Award for his work advancing the country’s entertainment sector. Two years later, he was inducted into the United Nations’ Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40, recognizing his dual impact in entertainment and social development. In 2021, he accepted an honorary doctorate in arts and culture from Benin’s Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion, and also took home the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as Global Social Giving Actor of the Year for his extensive charity work. That same year, Nigeria’s Sapio Club, a think tank focused on solving national social challenges, awarded him a Certificate of Excellence for his humanitarian commitments.
Ekubo had stepped back from public life and social media in recent months, with his last public post dating back to December 2024 — a gap that already had fans concerned about his well-being. As of Tuesday, neither Ekubo’s family nor his official management team had released a formal statement confirming his death, but tributes have already flooded in from colleagues, fans and friends across Nollywood.
Fellow Nollywood star Funke Akindele, who co-starred with Ekubo in the hit 2020 comedy *Omo Ghetto – The Saga*, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. “I tried to reach out. To see you one more time but guess you knew best,” Akindele wrote. “You kept telling me you are fine. May your kind soul rest in peace Alex. Ore mi like you fondly called me, I will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together.”
News of Ekubo’s death has sent shockwaves through the African entertainment community, with countless fans and industry figures sharing memories of his work, charisma and commitment to improving lives across the region.