Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has sparked mixed reactions online after celebrating her 49th birthday on Monday, August 24, 2026, hours after the death and burial of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
Akindele marked her birthday with a series of glamorous photographs shared on social media, accompanied by a message expressing gratitude to God for preserving her life and guiding her through different seasons and challenges.
In her message, the actress thanked God for being her strength and shield through her wins, mistakes, lessons and difficult moments, while praying for good health, long life, peace and the grace to continue fulfilling her purpose.
She also prayed that her life would continue to positively impact others by helping her touch lives, open doors, nurture talents and raise new stars.
The birthday celebration, however, came against a sombre backdrop in the Nigerian entertainment industry following the death of Ogogo, who passed away on Sunday, August 23, at the age of 66.
The veteran actor was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday according to Islamic rites, just as Akindele marked her birthday.
The timing of the birthday post triggered criticism from some social media users, who questioned whether the actress should have toned down her celebration or postponed her public birthday message out of respect for the late actor.
Some critics described the post as insensitive, arguing that Ogogo was a senior colleague within the Yoruba film industry and that his burial was taking place on the same day Akindele publicly celebrated her milestone.
One social media user questioned whether Akindele was aware of the mood within the entertainment industry, asking why she chose to make a birthday post while colleagues and fans were mourning Ogogo.
Another critic argued that although Akindele had every right to celebrate her birthday, publicly sharing a celebratory post on the day of Ogogo’s burial demonstrated poor timing and a lack of sensitivity to the mood of the industry.
Others suggested that the actress could have postponed the public celebration by a day as a gesture of respect to the late actor.
The criticism was not, however, unanimous.
A section of social media users defended Akindele, arguing that the death of another person should not necessarily require everyone celebrating a personal milestone to suspend their lives.
Supporters noted that grief is personal and that people can mourn a deceased colleague while simultaneously acknowledging their own birthdays and personal milestones.
One defender argued that it was unfair to expect Akindele to cancel her birthday simply because another person had died, pointing out that many people continued with their daily activities despite the tragedy.
Others similarly maintained that Akindele was not obligated to stop celebrating her birthday, particularly because there was no indication that her celebration was intended to disrespect Ogogo or his family.
The actress had, in fact, earlier acknowledged Ogogo’s death and joined other Nollywood figures in mourning the veteran actor following news of his passing on Sunday.
Her earlier expression of grief has become part of the discussion surrounding the controversy, with supporters arguing that the subsequent birthday post should not automatically be interpreted as a lack of respect for the deceased.
Ogogo’s death had triggered an outpouring of grief across Nollywood and among fans of Yoruba-language cinema.
The veteran actor, whose real name was Taiwo Hassan, was a prominent figure in the Yoruba film industry and had built a career spanning several decades.
His death was followed by tributes from colleagues, politicians, fans and other members of the Nigerian entertainment industry, with many describing him as one of the respected figures who contributed significantly to the growth of Yoruba cinema.
The timing of Akindele’s birthday has therefore generated a broader conversation online about how public figures should conduct personal celebrations when major tragedies occur within their professional circles.
While some Nigerians believe celebrities should exercise restraint during periods of mourning, others argue that public expectations should not dictate how individuals observe personal milestones.
The controversy has continued to generate debate across social media, with fans divided between those who believe Akindele should have shown greater sensitivity and those who maintain that celebrating her birthday does not diminish her respect for Ogogo.
As of the latest reports, Akindele has not issued a public apology or announced that she would withdraw the birthday post over the criticism.
The debate remains largely a matter of public opinion, with no indication that the actress violated any formal industry or cultural rule by celebrating her birthday on the day of Ogogo’s burial.
