As they say, death is inevitable, and losing a loved one causes unimaginable grief and a profound sense of loss. When a celebrity they adore dies, fans feel the same emotions as everyone else. After losing some of its biggest stars, Nigerian entertainment industry has had a difficult year.
These entertainers died in 2022, leaving behind bereaved fans and a significant void in the industry.
Here is a list of notable Nigerian entertainers who passed away in 2022.
- Tafa Oloyede
Tafa Oloyede was a veteran actor who passed away just as the second month of the year was beginning. John Adewuni Adewoye, his actual name, was born on 19 November 1952 in Ede Osun state. On 1 February 2022, he passed away at the age of 69. Oloyede made his acting debut in 1974 under the guidance of Oyin Adejobi. He is best known for starring in Yoruba movies. Some of his notable movies include Jaiyesimi, Ayanmo, Euro Oloja, Orogun, and Akanji Oniposi. He would have turned 70 this year and has worked hard in the film industry.
- Romanus Amuta
Amuta, a well-known Nollywood actor, passed away on 9 February 2022. He was 79 years old when he passed away after a protracted illness. Romanus Amuta was best known for playing Natty in the retired NTA comedy series New Masquerade.
Amuta is recognized for his work in various Nollywood films as an elder and title chief. Sometimes he assumes the position of the traditional prime minister and chief priest. Other notable works include Lion Finger in 2003, Eagles Bride in 2005 and Ijele in 1999.
- Lari Williams
Lari Williams was one of the Nollywood celebrities that died this year. Lari was a Nigerian actor, poet, and playwright born in 1940 in Ikom, Cross River State. Lari passed away on 27 February 2022 at 81 after a protracted illness. He taught theatre arts courses at the Universities of Lagos, Lagos State, and Calabar in Nigeria. Williams served as the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria’s first president in Nollywood, which is still active to date. He gained fame when he starred in the Village Headmaster, shown in NTA, the first soap opera produced in Nigeria. He also appeared in The Witch Doctor, the first home film ever produced in Nigeria. His other notable works include Ripples and Mirror in the Sun.
- Oluweri Magbojo
Shade Akintalor, popularly known as Oluweri Magbojo, passed away on 1 March 2022. The well-known Yoruba actress died in the United Kingdom at 59. Her relatives reported her death, but when the report was filed, the cause of death was unknown. Oluweri was a seasoned actress and producer. In addition, she was the CEO of Saidi Balogun Productions. She got her stage name, Oluweri Magbojo, after her most well-known work, Oluveri Mabo Oko. Her theatrical makeup, especially her arched brows, made her very popular. Oluweri established her reputation in Nollywood by participating in numerous well-known Nigerian films.
5.Dejo Tunfulu
On April 1, 2022, news of the death of well-known Yoruba actor Dejo Tunfulu stunned the Nigerian entertainment industry. Dejo, real name Kunle Adetokunbo, was also a popular comedian, writer, and producer. Adetokunbo was born on May 31, 1972, in Idumota, Ogun State, near Lagos. In Lagos, he attended Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School. He later enrolled at the Modern Way Nigeria School of Printing and graduated with a printing degree. The late actor was well-known for playing a clown in films, which delighted his fans in Nigeria and elsewhere. He earned the nickname “Dejo Tunfulu” after appearing in films as a comical stammerer. Dejo Tunfulu made his acting debut in his early twenties, starring in the television show Theatre Omode.
After that, he appeared in several films, including Jide Jendo, Hally The Drummer, and Yemi My Lover
6.David Osagie
Osagie Ogbeosamudia David, best known as David Osagie, was an illustrious Nollywood actor, screenwriter, producer, and expert talent manager. The 52-year-old experienced actor passed unexpectedly on 4 May 2022 following the day’s work on the set. Ngozi Ezeh, a coworker who broke the news, said that the actor was not ill.
David was best renowned for playing a king or as an elder kinsman. Some of his films include The Royal Battle, My Sorrow, My Pain, Agunna, and Lost Battle
7. Richards Gbenga
Nollywood suffered another loss when legendary actor Richards Gbenga was reported dead on 12 May after suffering from an unidentified illness. Gbenga was a famous Nigerian actor, director, producer, and entertainer. He was born in 1962 and passed away at the age of 60. The actor was a major force in the 1990s and the early 2000s. Richards had several illnesses, and his financial situation made it difficult to raise money for treatment. Richards made his acting debut in 1977. He appeared in several big-budget films, including Sango, Mirror in the Sun, and Betrayed by Love.
8. Leo Mezie
Leo Mezie is one of the Nollywood celebrities that died this year, 2022. Following a protracted battle, he succumbed to kidney disease on Saturday, 14 May. Nollywood star Chioma Toplis revealed the actor’s passing on Instagram. He passed away after undergoing kidney transplant surgery.
Leo Mezie is a well-known actor in Nigeria, model, author, television personality, businessman, and philanthropist. He rose to stardom after acting in the Nigerian movie Labista in 2003. He also featured in Total War, No Man’s Land, Heart of a Slave, Close Enemy, King’s Sleepless Night, and Empty Throne. Has appeared acted alongside Jerry Williams, Emma Ehummadu, and Zack Orji, among others.
9. Osmond Gbadebo
Osmond Gbadebo was one of the Nollywood actors who passed away in 2022. Gbadebo died on Monday, 30 May 2022, sending Nollywood into grief. Gbadebo passed away when he was in his forties. He rose to stardom when he was featured in films such as Hired Killer, Queen Lateefat, Edunjobi, and Ewon Ife, among others.
10. Ada Ameh
Ada Ame is a Nollywood actress who died in 2022. On Sunday, 17 July, Ada Ameh visited an oil company in Delta State, where she slumped and died. A few hours before she passed away, she posted a video of herself eating lunch with her family. Ada was a Nigerian actress who worked in Nollywood for over 20 years. The actress gained popularity for her role as Emu Johnson in the award-winning Nigerian television series The Johnsons.
Ameh made her acting debut in the 1996 film Domitila, playing Anita in the lead role. Some of the films she has featured include Blood Money, Our Husband, Double Trouble, Lockdown, and many more.
11. Onayiga Sola
On Monday, 18 July 2022, the veteran Nollywood actress Sola Onayiga passed away. Two weeks before her passing, she was admitted to the ICU section of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. She was well-known for playing the character Ireti in the Fuji House of Commotion. The accomplished actress was also featured in the Lockdown and Movement Japa.
12 Sammie Okposo
Popular gospel singer, Sammie Okposo, died in his sleep on Friday morning, November 25, 2022. He was aged 51.
A tribute night was held for him on Tuesday, December 13, in Lagos State, followed by a service of songs on Wednesday.
Okposo was buried on Friday, December 16, in a private cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos.
13 Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele
Biyi Bandele, a Nigerian novelist, playwright, director of Half of a Yellow Sun and co-director of Blood Sisters, a Nigerian series, died on Sunday, August 17, 2022.
He was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, September 23, 2022.
The ceremony was low-key and was attended by the late filmmaker’s family and close associates.
14 Rico Swavey
Rico Swavey
Big Brother Naija former season 3 housemate, Patrick Fakoya, popularly known as Rico Swavey was involved in a car crash which led to him being placed on life support. He died two days after the accident on Thursday, October 13, 2022.
A night of tribute and candlelight walk will take place at Retro Citi, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 19, 22
A private service was held at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, on Thursday before his burial at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos.
15 Osinachi Nwachikwu
Gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at the age of 42 after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
Nwachukwu had teamed up with another singer, Prospa Ochimana, to make the song, Ekwueme, which shot both of them into limelight in 2017.
Following reports of domestic violence leading to her death, the Federal Government filed 23 charges against Peter Nwachukwu, her husband, accusing him of culpable homicide.