Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66, throwing the Nigerian film industry into mourning.
Hassan reportedly died at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a battle with stage-four cancer. His death was announced by veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who described the development as a painful loss to the Yoruba film industry and the Nigerian entertainment community.
His remains were taken to his hometown, Ilaro, in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, ahead of his burial on Monday.
The actor was buried according to Islamic rites after funeral prayers attended by members of his family, friends, colleagues, traditional chiefs and other mourners. Reports from Ilaro said his remains were laid to rest at about 10:50 a.m. on Monday.
The burial attracted prominent personalities from the Yoruba movie industry, including veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko, who joined other colleagues to pay their final respects to the late actor.
The atmosphere in Ilaro was emotional as colleagues and loved ones mourned the passing of one of the most recognisable figures in Yoruba-language cinema.
Ogogo's death came only days after members of his family disclosed that he was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for urgent medical assistance.
His daughters had reportedly revealed that the family only became fully aware of the severity of his condition about three weeks before his death. They appealed for access to appropriate medical care, explaining that the family was seeking medical intervention rather than financial donations.
Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State, Taiwo Hassan began his working life outside the entertainment industry before establishing himself as one of the leading actors in Yoruba cinema.
He began acting professionally in 1981 and later left his previous occupation to devote himself fully to the film industry. Over the decades, he built a reputation as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter, becoming widely known by his stage name, Ogogo.
His career spanned several decades and included numerous Yoruba-language productions that established him as one of the industry's veteran performers.
Beyond acting, Hassan was regarded as an influential figure whose career helped shape the development and popularity of Yoruba cinema.
News of his death triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers across the country.
Actor Femi Adebayo Salami described Ogogo as a pillar of Yoruba cinema, paying tribute to his contribution to the industry and the legacy he left behind.
Veteran actor Yinka Quadri was also visibly emotional during the burial, highlighting the depth of the relationship between the two longtime colleagues.
Jide Kosoko, who announced Hassan's death, had earlier released the burial arrangements, stating that a lying-in-state ceremony would take place at the Pavilion in Ilaro before the burial.
The announcement stated that the late actor's remains would be taken to Ilaro, where family, friends and colleagues would gather to honour him.
The death of Ogogo represents another major loss for Nollywood, particularly the Yoruba film industry, which has lost several of its veteran performers in recent years.
For decades, Hassan remained a familiar face to generations of Nigerian movie audiences, earning recognition for his distinctive acting style and contributions to Yoruba-language entertainment.
His passing at 66 brings to an end a career that lasted more than four decades and left a significant mark on Nigeria's indigenous film industry.
As family members, colleagues and fans continue to mourn, tributes have continued to pour in for the actor, with many describing him as a veteran whose contribution to Yoruba cinema will remain part of the industry's history.
