Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo died on Tuesday afternoon in a Lagos hospital after a prolonged and largely private battle with kidney cancer, plunging entertainment industry into grief.
Sharing on her Instagram story, Akindele wrote, “Hmmmmmm. Rest in peace, Alex. I tried to reach out to see you one more time, but I guess you knew best. 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. Rest in Peace, Alex.”
Meanwhile, Ninalowo, who is now in the United States, also mourned on his page, writing, “Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all.”
Nnadiekwe, on the other hand, shared, “I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo. To think you already prepared your Will — It’s heartbroken, I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.
Months of Silence, Months of Worry
Ekubo’s last Instagram post was on December 30, 2024 — a months-long silence that had already triggered growing alarm among fans and colleagues. Earlier videos showing noticeable weight loss had deepened speculation about his health, though those close to him repeatedly sought to calm fears.
In 2025, actor Stanley Ontop publicly dismissed rumours that Ekubo was seriously ill, saying he had simply stepped away from social media because it had become “too toxic” for him. Fellow actor IK Ogbonna also showed him at a family gathering, saying he appeared healthy and fine and had chosen to take a break from public life to focus on himself.
Those assurances, it is now clear, had shielded a much darker reality.
A Career Built on Talent and Grace
Born on April 10, 1986, Alexx Ekubo rose to prominence through his role in the Nollywood blockbuster Weekend Getaway, going on to feature in films including The Bling Lagosians and A Sunday Affair. He was the first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest, and in 2020 was named one of the Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40 by the United Nations, for his contributions to entertainment and social development across the continent.
Beyond acting, Ekubo built a significant presence through fashion, lifestyle content, and social causes, cementing his reputation as one of the most bankable and versatile talents in contemporary African cinema.
Industry Grief Pours In
As news of his death spread across social media on Tuesday, tributes arrived in waves from colleagues, fans, and public figures across Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. His colleagues described themselves as shocked by the news, with many noting the cruelty of losing a man still so young and at the height of his creative potential.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by Ekubo’s family or the Actors Guild of Nigeria. The full circumstances of his illness and death are still emerging.
