Veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.
Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
His daughter, Kira Hassan, confirmed the death during an emotional Instagram Live session. While struggling to hold back her tears, she told family members and followers, “My daddy is dead. I can’t believe it.”
Kira, who was surrounded by family members during the session, also appealed for assistance to return home and join her family for her father’s burial.
A family friend confirmed Hassan’s death to Channels Television, while veteran actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed the development.
Hassan’s death came days after his family revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer.
His death has sparked grief among colleagues, friends, fans and other members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Actor Saheed Balogun, who also confirmed the death, described the development as painful and prayed for the repose of Hassan’s soul.
Ogogo’s Battle With Cancer
The actor’s health condition became public in mid-August after his daughters, Kira and Haleemah, made emotional appeals for medical assistance.
The family said doctors diagnosed Hassan with advanced cancer about three weeks earlier. They explained that doctors initially treated his condition as an ulcer before further tests revealed that he had cancer.
According to the family, the disease had affected his abdomen, causing severe pain and swelling.
They appealed to medical experts, hospitals and specialists to help explore possible treatment options, particularly after doctors indicated that conventional treatment had become difficult because of the advanced stage of the disease.
The family said it was mainly seeking medical expertise and treatment options rather than financial donations.
They also revealed that Hassan had obtained an Indian visa to seek treatment but was later declared medically unfit to travel.
As news of his condition spread, several people offered possible treatments. However, the family had to assess the various suggestions while ensuring that Hassan remained under proper medical care.
Kira also warned against people attempting to profit from her father’s condition by offering expensive alternative treatments.
A false report of Hassan’s death circulated on social media days before his actual death. His family dismissed the report and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.
However, his condition later deteriorated, leading to his death on Sunday.
Hassan had previously spoken about suffering from serious stomach-related health problems. He said he eventually recovered from the condition and attributed his recovery to divine intervention.
A Career Spanning Over Four Decades
Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Ogogo became one of the leading figures in Yoruba-language Nollywood.
He began his career as a stage actor before moving into professional film and television. He later became a prominent figure in the growth of Nigeria’s Yoruba film industry.
Hassan was known for his commanding voice, strong screen presence and portrayal of culturally rooted characters. He frequently played traditional rulers, chiefs, warriors, strict fathers and other authoritative figures.
His profile grew significantly during the expansion of Nigeria’s home-video industry. His appearance in Owo Blow, directed by Tade Ogidan, further established him as a prominent actor and earned him the THEMA Best Actor award in 1997.
Over the years, he appeared in numerous Yoruba and mainstream Nollywood productions, including Omin, Elewon, Omo Ghetto, Atitebi, Agbelebu, Dr Brown, Bolode O’ku, Obinrin Sowanu, Aye O, Tenant of the House, Amerah, Bank Alert and ÌGÈ.
He also appeared in more recent productions, including Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó, released in 2022, where he played Alaafin Ademuyiwa. He reprised the role in Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre in 2024.
Beyond acting, Hassan worked as a filmmaker, producer and screenwriter and contributed to several Nigerian productions.
His career earned him several honours, including the City People Movie Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ogogo was closely associated with the development and preservation of Yoruba storytelling in Nigerian cinema. Through his roles, he often portrayed characters, traditions and social settings rooted in Yoruba culture.
His death marks the end of a career that spanned the stage, Nigeria’s early home-video era and the modern film and streaming industry.
Hassan is survived by his wives and children.
His funeral is expected to be conducted according to Islamic rites.
