President Tinubu Mourns Veteran Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)
ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the iconic Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, following his demise.
The President’s tribute follows the heartbreaking news of the 66-year-old veteran’s passing on Sunday, August 23, 2026, after a brave battle with stage-four cancer.
In a state statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu, described the late actor as a distinguished artiste whose career spanned several decades. He emphasized that Ogogo’s remarkable contributions helped shape the evolution and growth of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.
A Monumental Loss to Nigerian Cinema
President Tinubu noted that through his distinctive acting style, powerful screen presence, and unwavering dedication to his craft, Ogogo entertained generations of Nigerians.
Beyond entertainment, the actor was a cultural ambassador who consistently promoted the richness of Yoruba culture and Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
The President affirmed that Ogogo’s extensive body of work will remain an indispensable part of Nigeria’s cultural history.
“Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artiste who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage, and entertain audiences at home and abroad,” President Tinubu stated. “His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood, and the entire Nigerian creative community.”
Federal Government Extends Sympathies
Speaking on behalf of the nation, the President extended his heartfelt sympathies to the actor’s immediate family, close colleagues, friends, and millions of admirers worldwide. “I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Tinubu added, while urging members of the entertainment industry and the public to honour Ogogo’s memory by preserving the artistic traditions and cultural values he spent his life building.
