Connect with us

Celebs

Tribute To Nigerian Celebrities Who Passed On In 2024

2024 brought profound losses to the Nigerian entertainment industry as it bid farewell to several iconic figures who left an indelible mark on us. From veteran actors whose artistry shaped the industry to beloved singers and stars who captured the hearts of audiences, these individuals are remembered for their talent, passion, and lasting legacies.

John Okafor (Mr. Ibu)

Beloved Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu, passed away at 62 on March 2, 2024. Known for his comedic brilliance, his death followed a series of health challenges, including hospitalization and the amputation of a leg​.

Junior Pope

One of the most shocking celebrity deaths this year was that of actor Junior Pope who sadly passed away after drowning in a boat accident in April. The accident happened mere hours after he posted the video of himself on a boat without a lifejacket in Asaba, on the way to a movie set. The news came as a huge shock to Nigerians and confusion followed until the news was sadly confirmed. His wife and three children survive him.

Onyeka Onwenu

Another celebrity who died in 2024 was veteran singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu. She reportedly slumped following a performance at Stella Okoli’s birthday party on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, and was then rushed to Reddington Hospital in Lagos, unfortunately, she didn’t make it. She was 72 years old.

Charles Olumo (Agbako)

Nollywood veteran Charles Olumo died at age 101 in October 2024 and the news was announced by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, via his Instagram account on October 31, 2024.

Deji Aderemi (Olofa Ina)

Veteran Yoruba actor, Deji Aderemi, popularly known as Olofa Ina, passed away on January 4, 2024, at the age of 73. He was a revered figure in the industry, known for his impactful roles in Yoruba films. Aderemi succumbed to cancer after battling the illness​Ethel EkpeThe veteran actress best known for her role in the classic NTA sitcom Basi and Company died on February 7, 2024, in Lagos. Ekpe had been battling cancer for a long time and was celebrated for her iconic performances​.

Sisi Quadri
Yoruba Nollywood actor Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, famously called Sisi Quadri, passed away on March 1, 2024, at just 44 years old. Known for his comedic talent, his death came as a shock to fans and colleagues​

Amaechi Muonagor
A veteran known for his roles in films such as Aki and Paw Paw, Amaechi Muonagor passed away on March 24, 2024. He battled kidney disease for a long time and sought financial assistance shortly before his passing​.

Adejumoke Aderounmu
Popular for her role as Esther in Jenifa’s Diary, Adejumoke Oreoluwa Aderounmu died on March 7, 2024. Her passing shocked fans, as she was celebrated for her vibrant contributions to Nollywood​

Zulu Adigwu
Veteran actor Zulu Adigwu died on April 23, 2024. Known for his versatility and dedication to Nollywood, his death marked a significant loss to the film industry​

Dayo Adewunmi (Sule Suebebe)
Veteran actor and director Dayo Adewunmi, famously known as Sule Suebebe, passed away on June 12, 2024. A notable figure in the Yoruba film industry, his comedic talent and unique style made him beloved among fans​

Stella Ikwuegbu
Actress Stella Ikwuegbu died on June 16, 2024, after battling leg cancer. She was known for her impactful roles and her dedication to Nollywood​.

Ganiyu Oyeyemi (Ogunjimi)
Veteran Yoruba actor Ganiyu Oyeyemi, popularly called Ogunjimi, passed away on April 26, 2024. To this day, his contributions to Yoruba films and theater are celebrated by his peers and fans alike​

Jimi Solanke
Nollywood veteran Jimi Solanke also passed away this year at age 81 after a brief battle with an illness. He was said to have passed away on February 5, 2024, while being transported from his rural home in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area, Ogun State, to Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan. Reports also stated that Solanke had been in and out of the hospital between December 2023 to February 2024 before passing away.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebs

Celebrity Chef Hilda Baci threatens legal actions against Seyi Vibez

.Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is demanding an apology from musician Seyi Vibez over defamatory posts. When Afrobeats star Seyi Vibez recently launched an online tirade against Damilola Akinwunmi, the CEO of Dapper Music, over allegations of contract breach and fraud, celebrity chef Hilda Baci was caught in the crossfire.

In a now-deleted post on his X page, Seyi Vibez claimed that Hilda Baci’s food almost killed him after her partner, the CEO of Dapper Music, gave it to him. The post, which was meant to mock Akinwunmi, with whom he was feuding, invariably denigrated the culinary skills and quality of the meal of the celebrity chef who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice.

n the letter by Hilda Baci’s lawyers, Olaniwon Ajayi LLC, Seyi Vibez is accused of making the libellous post viewed approximately 4.3 million times before it was deleted.

“First Publication on 14th August, 2026 by 13:24 WAT “Na Hilda Baci bbl all una catalogue money dey go [Face with Tears of Joy emoji] All of una Dey craze and una mama”

Second Publication 14th August, 2026 by 13:32 WAT “I Made dapper. Dapper won take all of them life Ohboi. I chop Hilda baci food one day Na the same dapper give me the food almost kill me Dem Dey use jazz The jazz no work on me”

The above publications have been viewed approximately 4.3 million times, retweeted approximately 7,100 times, received approximately 3,000 comments, and were liked approximately 45,000 times, and continue to be accessible and circulated on the internet.”

Her lawyers further added that since the musician made the post, their client has been exposed to unwarranted, persistent, and escalating harassment across various social media platforms.

“Following the publication of the aforesaid malevolent statements, our client has been subjected to unwanted, persistent and escalating harassment across various social media platforms and personal handles, including a barrage of unsolicited and abusive messages and comments from members of the public. This conduct has exposed our client to unwarranted public hostility and harassment, causing our Client considerable distress and reputational harm, and has materially interfered with her privacy, peace and personal security. The targeted harassment is a direct and foreseeable consequence of the publications complained of.”

Continue Reading

Celebs

Erica opens up on mental struggles she faced after Big Brother Naija

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Erica Nlewedim, has opened up on the mental struggles she faced after her time on the reality show. The actress and reality star revealed that she battled serious anxiety after leaving the show, as she struggled with constant insults and criticism from fans and social media users. Erica made the revelation while reflecting on her experience after her time on Big Brother Naija and the impact of staying in the public eye.

Speaking about the impact of her time on the reality show, she said she was grateful for the opportunities it created but admitted that the constant trolling took a toll on her mental health.

“I am happy I did it (BBN) because it changed my life, money-wise and all of that. I had to see a therapist afterwards. At first, I didn’t know it was getting to me until after like three years of back-to-back insults.

If I open Instagram and see notifications, I will be like, “Are they dragging me for something again?” I was always anxious, and I didn’t like that.

2024 was my quiet time. I didn’t act on any movie; I just decided to take a break in 2024. It was just last year that I decided to start coming back.

They are like, “Oh, you signed up for this, or you should be used to it by now. One shouldn’t be used to insults or trolling because they are celebrities.”

According to her, some movie producers dismissed her acting ability because of her background as a Big Brother Naija star. She said some producers cast her in lead roles mainly to attract her fans, rather than because they believed in her talent.

“Before I went for Big Brother in 2019, I went to film school in London and I came back thinking I was going to take over, and then Covid happened. So, I had to go for Big Brother.

I was already acting before Big Brother, but most of the characters I played were not lead roles. But after Big Brother, they would put me as the lead and be like It’s only because they want my fans to buy the tickets that they put me in a lead role. It was just all about, you can’t do this. That’s all I kept hearing, and then some producers would be like they put us because they need our fans to come and watch the movie and they would say it to my face. At some point, it just broke me, and that’s why I took a break in 2024. The hardest time was 2023.”

Erica was one of the housemates on the 2020 Lockdown edition of Big Brother Naija. Her time on the show attracted significant attention, particularly because of her relationship with fellow housemate Kiddwaya and her clashes with Laycon.

Continue Reading

Celebs

Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh launches Christian Prayer Ministry

The former Nollywood actress kicked off her ministry in Abuja, called New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle. After months of announcing her plans to go into ministry, former Nollywood star Tonto Dikeh is now leading a Christian gathering in Abuja. In a video clip shared on her Instagram page, the 40-year-old was captured leading a powerful prayer session in her newly launched New Wine Prophetic Ministry.

The former Nollywood star describes her New Wine Prophetic Tabernacle as an interdenominational altar dedicated to prayer, revival, spiritual training, and the awakening of consecrated believers.

“NEW WINE PROPHETIC TABERNACLE (NWPT) @nwpt_global is an interdenominational altar, spiritual home, and global movement of consecrated believers called to experience the raw power, purity, and presence of God. Grounded in the foundational truth of Scripture “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins…” (Mark 2:22).
NWPT exists as a dwelling place of His presence for those who refuse to settle for lukewarm Christianity and are hungry for genuine revival, fire, and transformation.”

She added that her ministry is not a church but an intense gathering of those consecrated and equipped for the purposes of God. Since converting to a born-again Christian, Tonto Dikeh has been vocal about her faith. In February 2026, she completed a discipleship programme at Pastor Jerry Eze’s Streams of Joy International church, sharing her certificate on Instagram and speaking about a profound spiritual rebirth that had reshaped her perspective on life, faith, and service.

The vocal embrace of her Christian faith has not been without some controversy. In March 2026, a video where she was performing a deliverance on a schoolgirl went viral online and led to massive criticism, including the threat of a lawsuit by a Human Rights Lawyer.

Continue Reading

Trending