By Adetola Idris
Veteran Nollywood actor, screenwriter, producer, and director Taiwo Hassan, popularly known by his stage name Ogogo, has died following a prolonged battle with stage 4 cancer at the age of 66.
News of his passing was announced by his daughter during an Instagram Live session on Sunday, sending shockwaves through Nigeria’s entertainment industry. He reportedly died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after his health condition worsened following a prolonged battle with the disease.
The actor’s illness first came to public attention days earlier when his daughters made an emotional public appeal. His daughters, Kira and Haleemah, had disclosed that doctors diagnosed their father with cancer, and the family had sought help from the public after being told doctors could no longer administer chemotherapy due to his condition.
Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Hassan built a career spanning over four decades, beginning his acting journey in 1981 before dedicating himself fully to the craft in 1994. He became a household name in the Yoruba film industry, celebrated for his commanding screen presence and memorable roles across dozens of films.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues across the industry. Fellow actor Femi Brainard, who announced the news on Facebook, described the loss as deeply personal, recalling Ogogo’s habit of offering him spiritual guidance and encouragement whenever their paths crossed.
Hassan’s death marks the end of an era for Nollywood’s Yoruba film sector, where he was widely recognized not just as a performer but as a mentor and elder statesman of the industry. He is survived by his children, including daughters Kira and Haleemat.
