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Nigerian actor Alexx Ekubo dies from kidney cancer complications
The Nigerian film industry is in mourning following the death of actor Alexx Ekubo, who passed away on Monday at age 40 after battling advanced metastatic kidney cancer. Ekubo, a prominent figure in Nollywood, died in a private Lagos hospital, his family confirmed in a statement posted on his Instagram page.
Family requests privacy amid grief
Ekubo's relatives described his struggle as a "brief but courageous battle," noting his resilience throughout his illness. "He bore his pain with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope, believing that one day his testimony would be shared with the world," the family said. They have asked for prayers and privacy as they mourn.
Tributes pour in from Nollywood peers
News of Ekubo's death spread on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans. Fellow actor and producer Funke Akindele, who starred with him in the 2020 comedy Omo Ghetto - The Saga, expressed her shock in a social media post. "I tried to reach out. To see you one more time but guess you knew best," she wrote, recalling his reassurances that he was fine. "May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex."
Godwin Nnadiekwe, a close friend and colleague, called the loss "heart-breaking," writing on Instagram, "Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I'm lost for words, because this wasn't the plan." Filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, who gave Ekubo his first film role, described the news as "devastating and unbelievable," according to Nigeria's Vanguard news site.
A celebrated career and humanitarian legacy
Born on April 10, 1986, in Rivers State, Ekubo rose to fame after making his acting debut in the 2005 production Sinners in the House. He graduated with a law degree from the University of Calabar and gained wider recognition after competing in the Mr Nigeria competition in 2010.
Ekubo's breakout role came in 2013 when he won Best Supporting Actor at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Weekend Getaway. He also gained popularity for his appearance in Yemi Alade's 2013 music video Johnny. Over his career, he received nine awards, including Best Actor of the Year (2016) and Best Lead Actor (2022) at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
National and international recognition
In 2018, Nigeria's First Lady honored Ekubo with a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the entertainment industry. Two years later, he was inducted into the UN's Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40 for his work in entertainment and social development. In 2021, he received an honorary doctorate in arts and culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion in Benin.
Ekubo was also recognized for his humanitarian efforts. In 2021, he was named the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year at the Nigerian National Award of Excellence. The Sapio Club, a Nigeria-based organization addressing social issues, awarded him a Certificate of Excellence for his charitable contributions.
Personal life and final days
Ekubo's last social media post appeared in December 2024, raising concerns about his health as he stepped away from public view. His personal life briefly drew attention in 2021 when his engagement to Nigerian-American actress and model Fancy Acholonu ended months before their planned wedding.
"Tonight is very special and dear to my heart because it's coming at quite a time,"
Alexx Ekubo, during his honorary doctorate acceptance speech in 2021
