Alex Ekubo: List of Nigerian Actors and Singers Who Died of Cancer

The Nigerian entertainment industry has lost many prominent singers and actors to cancer.

While some of these entertainers publicly disclosed their battles with the disease, others kept it private until their passing.

The prevalence of cancer among celebrities has sparked discussion online.

The most recent and shocking loss is that of Alex Ekubo.

According to DAILY POST, Alex Ekubo, a well-known Nollywood actor, died on 11 May 2026 after complications from kidney cancer.

2. Tom Njemanze

The 75‑year‑old veteran actor died from prostate cancer on 18 July 2025.

Tom Njemanze passed away about three weeks after seeking financial help for urgent surgery.

3. Ify Onwuemene

Everyday People actress Ify Onwuemene died on 25 May 2021 after years of battling stage 4 endometrial cancer.

Ify underwent eight chemotherapy sessions and had her womb removed before her death.

4. Aishat Abimbola

Famous Nollywood actress Aishat Abimbola, popularly known as Omoge Campus, died in Canada on 15 May 2018 after a battle with breast cancer.

5. Actress Doris Chima

The former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Emeka Rising, confirmed Doris Chima’s death in August 2021.

The veteran actress, who had lost a breast to cancer, reportedly died from related complications.

6. Actor Karibi Fubara

Nollywood actor Karibi Fubara died in December 2021 from kidney tumour/cancer.

He died a year after surviving surgery that removed about 90 % of the tumour in 2020.

7. Singer Majek Fashek

Legendary reggae singer Majekodunmi Fasheke, professionally known as Majek Fashek, died in June 2020 after battling esophageal cancer.

8. Singer Sonny Okosun

Sonny Okosun, a 61‑year‑old Nigerian musician and political activist with international recognition, died from colon cancer on 24 May 2008 in Washington.

9. Singer Aduke Gold

Popular Nigerian gospel singer Aduke Gold passed away from cervical cancer on 11 August 2024 at University College Hospital in Ibadan.

10. Sound Sultan

Influential Nigerian music icon Olanrewaju Fasasi, professionally known as Sound Sultan, died in the United States on 11 July 2021 at age 44.

He died after a battle with the rare blood cancer angioimmunoblastic T‑cell lymphoma.