In recent times, Nigeria‘s entertainment industry has been rocked by the loss of several prominent figures. Though death is unavoidable, it remains a fate no one wishes for.
Here are five Nigerian celebrities who, regrettably, were unable to realize their full potential due to their untimely death at a young age.
Bisi Komolafe (Aged 26)
Bisi Komolafe, a Nigerian actress and film director, passed away due to complications related to pregnancy. Following a disagreement with her then fiancé, she reportedly took some self-prescribed medications, which tragically led to fatal bleeding.
Dagrin (Aged 25)
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, better known by his stage name, Da Grin, was one of the greatest Nigerian rappers who died a few days after an accident he was involved in. He was comatose for several days before giving up the ghost.
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, widely recognized by his stage name, Da Grin, was among the most esteemed Nigerian rappers. Tragically, he passed away following an accident. He remained in a coma for several days before giving up the ghost.
Sound Sultan (Aged 44)
Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, was a multifaceted artist, encompassing roles as a rapper, songwriter, actor, singer, comedian, and recording artist.
Renowned for addressing issues such as poverty, corruption, governance shortcomings, and societal vices through his music, he left a significant impact with his thought-provoking lyrics.
Murphy Afolabi (Aged 49)
Born on the 5th of May, 1974 and died on the 14th of May, 2023, Murphy Afolabi was a Nigerian actor well known for his dialect. Reports have it that he fell in his bathroom and sustained a head injury which led to his death.
Mohbad (Aged 27)
Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba aka Mohbad was a rapper, songwriter and singer. He was formerly signed to Naira Marley’s record label and left in 2022. The cause of his death remained unknown.
Citizenship is typically acquired through birth, naturalization, or marriage.
Certain Nigerian celebrities have acquired citizenship in other countries through birth, even though they were born to Nigerian parents.
Below are some celebrities:
Banky W
Singer and actor, Bankole Wellington otherwise known as Banky W was born on March 27, 1981 in New York City, New York, United States to Nigerian parents.
His parents moved back to Nigeria when he was five years old.
Beverly Naya
Per Wikipedia, British-born Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya was born in London as the only child of her Nigerian parents.
Unlike other celebrities who made the cut, Beverly lived most of her life in the UK before returning to Nigeria as an adult.
At 17, Beverly began acting while studying philosophy, psychology, and sociology at Brunel University. She also studied script-writing and film-making at Roehampton University.
In an interview with BellaNaija, she explained that she relocated to Nigeria because of the rapid growth of Nollywood, and the opportunities that it creates for aspiring actors.
Nigerian singer and actress, Seyi Shay was born on 21, December 1985, the mother of one crooner was born in Tottenham, London, United Kingdom to Nigerian parents where she was raised. Seyi recounting her relocation to Nigeria said ‘ The individuality of the music industry in Nigeria made her return home.
Naeto C
This Nigerian rapper has made a mark on the music industry that can never be forgotten.
Born on 17, December, 1982 in Houston, Texas, United States, he made his return to Nigeria at an early age.
Asa
Bukola Elemide, popularly known as Aṣa, is a Nigerian-French singer, songwriter, and recording artist.
Asa is among the Nigerian celebrities who were born abroad. Asa was born on 17 September 1982 in Paris, France, to Nigerian parents who were working and studying cinematography.
Her parents are originally from Itoku, Ogun State. Asa and her family relocated to Nigeria when she was two years old and grew up in Lagos.
Asa moved back to Paris after she turned 18 and her career as an artist took off. Her music was inspired by her father’s collection of great music.
Asa is known for her Yoruba, French, and English pop music genre. She is among the top singers in the country today.
She has worked with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Miriam Makeba. Some of her singles include Dead Again, Eyo, Satan Be Gone, Moving On, The Beginning, and Good Thing.
Man and woman relationships typically end in marriage, which is a wonderful blessing for all of humanity.
Singleness, on the other hand, is circumstantial. It happens to people for all kinds of reasons: not being able to find a mate, death of a spouse, difficult family situations, medical or financial difficulties. The list goes on and on.
As a society it is widely believed that the logical path of life is having one has been born, they must pursue a solid education, secure a good job and find love while at it. After which get married and have kids.
And all those are expected to happen way before one clocks 40
This is yet to be the path for some Nigerian stars. Whether by choice or not, these celebrities are over 40 years old and have never been married.
Here are 10 Nigerian celebrities who are over 40 and not married:
Denrele Edun (42 years)
Adenrele Oluwafemi Edun has been in the film and TV industry since he was 11. He is best known as a television presenter. He has interviewed international celebrities, including Akon, Beyonce and Tyler Perry. He has won multiple awards for being a dynamic TV personality. He also acts occasionally, including starring in the 2014 film Make a Move.
Frederick Leonard (43 years)
Nollywood heartthrob and leading man, Frederick Leonard, is another man who has been the topic of many conversations.
Many people wonder why the dashing young actor is still not married, but according to Frederick, he is waiting until he finds the one.
Jim Iyke (47 years)
Born James Ikechukwu Esomugha on September 25, 1976 in Libreville, Gabon, Jim Iyke is an actor and entrepreneur.
Jim Iyke, who is well-known for his playboy roles in movies remains single although he welcomed his son, Harvis Chidubem Iyke with Dana Kinduryte from Lithuania in April, 2019.
The 47- year- old even though he has engaged in a number of romantic relationships with actresses and non-actresses has never been married
Nonso Diobi (47 years)
Multiple award winning actor and film director, Nonso Diobi was July 17, 1976 in Enugu State.
The Nollywood star who opened up in a chat with BBC Igbo revealed the reason he is yet to be married
Nonso disclosed that talks about wife and girlfriend interest him but he’ll only have the woman he’s destined to.
He noted he has come to the realisation that not everyone can be patient with actors like himself as they hardly have time; for they are always on the move from dusk to dawn
Franca Brown (56 years)
Born Franca Obianuju Brown on May 17, 1967 in Onitsha, Anambra State is a veteran Nollywood actress and movie producer who received recognition from her role in the TV series titled “Behind The Clouds.”
She has noted her husband will come at the fullness of God’s time though a mother of one, is yet to be married.
Tina Mba (56 years)
Veteran actress was born on October 2, 1967 in Delta State but hails from Enugu State.
She came to limelight for her role in “Everyday People” and boasts of other TV series such as Jemeji, Hotel Majestic, Desperate Housewives, Shadows and so on.
Mba is one of the few actresses with excellent and evergreen performances.
Tina, who acts in Yoruba and English movies, has remained a role model to some upcoming talents.
Though a proud mother of 2 grown-up children: Tania and Joseph, Tina Mba has never been married and remains single.
Osita Iheme (41 years)
Osita Iheme has been a Nollywood star since his breakthrough in 2002. He is commonly known as Pawpaw after his breakout role in Aki na Ukwa (2002). He is half of the dynamic duo Aki and PawPaw, along with Chinedu Ikedieze.
In 2017, Iheme was rumoured to have married Ghanaian actress Nana Ama McBrown. The actor neither confirmed nor denied the rumours. McBrown has been married to Ghanaian entrepreneur Maxwell Mawu Mensah since 2016, and they have one child together.
Uti Nwachukwu (41 years)
Model, actor and TV presenter Uti Nwachukwu started his career on the Nigerian reality show, Next Movie Star. After finishing second, he joined Big Brother Africa season 3 and later Big Brother Africa: All Stars (season 5), emerging as the winner. He has over 30 acting credits and hosted Jara and The Real Housewives of Lagos Reunion. Uti is also an alternative rock musician.
Nwachukwu has been adamant that he does not intend to “settle” with a woman. Instead, he plans to choose a partner when he feels the time is right. He emphasised that he does not owe the public access to his private life.
Elvina Ibru (51 years)
Elvina Esewvre Ibru is a actress and On Air Personality from Delta State. She is the daughter of industrialist Michael Ibru.
Ibru worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a broadcaster and also acted in theatre productions before returning to Nigeria. She was also an OAP at Classic FM where she hosted a weekly show called Mellow Magic
Ibru has one son named Elisha. Elvina has said she is not interested in getting married and also would not let society pressure her into doing it because of her age.
Baba Dee
Born Dare Fasasi is multi-talented actor, songwriter and dance hall artist Baba Dee is one of the pioneer video directors that revolutionized the Nigerian music video industry.
Baba Dee gained public recognition when he won the Lekki Sun Splash competition in 1995. He dropped his debut album, ‘Most Wanted’ in 1997 and has since gone on to garner international accolade.
In 2014, he teamed up with his younger brother, Sound Sultan who is currently 44 to produce Naija Ninja’s award winning debut movie, ‘Head Gone,’ which featured 2face, Ali Baba, Eniola Badmus, Akpororo among others.
Though a father to a son of mixed race but no news nor documentation to state he has ever been married yet still single.
Tobi In Black Or Timini In White: Which Look Would You Rather Fancy?
Tobi Bakre or Timini Egbuson?
Who’s your ideal Man Crush?
The two hunks got all dressed up for a dinner event hosted by premium malt brand, Amstel Malta recently in Lagos.
Tobi Bakre who wore an all-black outfit by TJWho Universe donned the dark angel look while actor, Timini Egbuson was threaded in an all-white outfit by TLR Couture.
Tobi and Timini have, for the past few weeks, been living their best lives and telling the world about it as Amstel Malta continues to support Nigerians to be the best version of themselves.
Tobi Bakre and Timini Egbuson
The two young men looked dashing as they were joined by other celebrities, Tonto Dike, CeeC, Enyinna Nwigwe, Linda Ejiofor, Ibrahim Suleiman and others for a night out, living their best lives.
L:R: Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Ngozi Nkwoji; Social Media Personality, Cynthia Nwadiora; Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi and Nigerian Actor, Timini Egbuson.
L:R: Social Media Personality, Tobi Bakre; Portfolio Manager, Non-Alcoholic brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Ngozi Nkwoji; Nigerian Actor, Enyinnaya Nwigwe, Senior Brand Manager – Amstel Malta & Hi-Malt, Ugo Ahukannah , and Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Oriakhi.
L-R: Tobi Bakre and Timini Egbuson
L-R: Tobi Bakre and Timini Egbuson
L-R: Elizabeth Oputa, a guest and Ngozi Nkwoji
L-R: Linda Ejiofor and Brand Manager – Amstel Malta & Hi-Malt, Josiah Akinola
L-R: Sandra Amachree, Emmanuel Oriakhi and Tonto Dike
Nollywood actors Alexx Ekubo, IK Ogbonna and fashion designer Yomi Casual led a group of young people to some voter registration centres in Lagos to raise greater awareness on the need to register and obtain the PVC.
The trio, referred to as the ‘Chop life gang’, were accompanied by Tobi Bakre, BBNaija S3 finalist, Swanky Jerry, celebrity stylist and actress Daniella Okere and Movie producer Eniola Badmus and others.
Ekubo who tagged the outing‘PVC Activation Drive’ shared this on his instagram page @alexxekubo.
The drive was aimed at using celebrity influence to get young people to register as eligible voters and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).
He wrote, “Thanks to everyone who came out today to support the @choplifegang PVC activation drive, from entertainers to media houses.
“We had only one intent and that is to get more people involved in the decision making process of our dearly beloved country.
“This is not a political rally, nor an opposition group and definitely not a political party. It’s just three friends encouraging the youths to get involved and take advantage of the #nottooyoungtorun bill,” he said.
Ekubo also revealed that although the activation drive took place in Lekki, its success might lead to the extension of the programme to the mainland.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several celebrities have also been leading the PVC registration awareness
Recently, BBNaija alumnus Ifu Ennada joined Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ini Edo and others in the clamour for voter participation by encouraging people to obtain their voter cards.
With the world watching as Prince Harry and Meghan wedded on Saturday, Nigerian celebrities have joined others around the globe to gush over the fairy tale becoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after exchanging marital vows at the St George’s Chapel in Windsor castle.
With memes dressing the couple in traditional Yoruba attires to a superimposition of voiced traditional Yorba exchanges to comedian Frank Donga ‘doctoring’ images of standing in line waiting t shake hands with Prince Harry as he walked with Meghan.
While celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney, Elton john, Victoria and David Beckham, Serena Williams and her husband and other selected few attended the event, their Nigerian contemporaries wished from afar.
Commenting on her Instagram page, 2017 Big Brother Naija runner-up, T-Boss, expressed how she longed to be at the royal wedding and also prayed for a similar love.
‘I’d have given any and EVERYTHING to be at the #RoyalWedding of Harry & Meghan Markle,’ she said.
‘All the same- What a Beautiful Love story. Even the Weather is in accordance with them… Dear Lord, may I also find such #TrueLove.’
Nollywood actress and producer Rita Dominic succintly congratulated the couple
‘Congrats to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,’ she wrote.
‘Love transcends all! #history.’
For music producer Don Jazzy, the royal wedding afforded him a perfect excuse to chillax.
‘What a perfect way to chill relax and watch the Royal wedding as today is World Whisky Day and you know what that means for me,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘It’s a public holiday for me No beat making today, no music making. I’m celebrating with @johnniewalkerng, thanks for your understanding.’
A day earlier on Friday, another 2017 BBN runner-up, Bisola Aiyeola, joked about attending the couple’s ‘tradtional wedding’ while she posted a photoshoppped image where she inserted herself into images of Harry and Meghan dressed in traditional Yoruba dresses.
‘Hello fam, as you know Megan and I are cousins “Megus megus” as we call her when it’s we we and yes I was present at the private Traditional wedding which ended 2hours ago ( she needs her beauty sleep against tomorrow),’ she wrote.
‘I only got one pic cos security was really tight please don’t share this with blogs else I’ll be in trouble.’
Some Nigerian celebrities, say they will boycott the planned anti-government protest by award winning musician Tuface, also known as 2baba.
Tuface, the African Queen crooner recently took to his Instagram handle: @official2baba, calling on his fans and followers to join in the nationwide protest scheduled for February 5.
He stated: “First Massive Nationwide Protests’’.
“A call for good governance. A call for urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide….to come out and protest this obnoxious and baseless policies and excuses of the government of the day.”
Reacting, popular comedian, Bovi Ugboma, said he would not be joining the protest.
Bovi on his Instagram handle: @officialBovi stated, “Boycott” is too strong a word to describe my not attending. I won’t be there. Simple. It doesn’t define whether I support it or not.
“I am not joining the protest, and stop saying ‘we’ and ‘us.’ You don’t belong…..my life is not governed by your opinions of me.
Tuface, real name Innocent Ujah Idibia, is also a producer, entrepreneur and one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa.
Similarly, popular Yoruba actress, Funke Adesiyan who disagreed with 2face over the plan said that protest was not the only option.
The actress, who recently completed a course in film-making and directing at the New York Film Academy in the U.S, stressed the importance of youth participation in governance.
The Yoruba actress of Ibadan origin who contested and lost Oyo State House of assembly election under the umbrella of PDP in 2015, stated on her instagram handle @funkeadesiyan:
“When people ask me why I joined politics, I tell them from the truest of my heart that it is because I got tired of how things were being done in my country.
“It’s not enough for us to protest, it’s more important for us, youths of this beloved nation, to get involved in governance. You could try many times before you achieve it,” Adesiyan stated.
Tuface started his music career while studying at Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu where he recorded several jingles for Enugu state radio broadcasting station.
His professional career did not begin until he moved to Lagos where he met other members of the rested Plantashun Boyz group, comprising Black Face and Faze in 1996.
Idibia has received several awards including MTV Europe Music Award, world Music Award, Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), and Channel O Music Video Awards.
Others are BET awards for his musical work, MTV Africa Music Awards, MOBO award, KORA award among others.
