Nollywood Says Goodbye: Ogogo Laid to Rest in Ilaro as Colleagues Gather in Grief
Nollywood’s Yoruba film community came together in full force today to bid farewell to one of its most beloved figures. Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried on Monday, August 24, 2026, in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, in accordance with Islamic rites, as family members, friends, colleagues, and residents gathered to pay their final respects.
A Community United in Mourning
Nollywood stars including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Fathia Balogun, and Femi Adebayo were among those who travelled to Ilaro to be there for the burial. They were joined by fellow veterans Mister Latin, Dele Odule, Olaiya Igwe, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Ireti Osayemi, and Bisi Omo Logbalogba along with Faithia Williams, Toyosi Adesanya, Fausat Balogun, Saidi Balogun, and Lalaa gathering of some of the most recognizable names in Yoruba cinema, all converging on one small town to honor a friend and colleague.
The burial followed funeral prayers at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro, with members of the Ilaro Muslim Community participating in the Janazah rites. His body, wrapped in white cloth according to Islamic burial tradition, was carried through the ceremony as an Islamic cleric addressed those gathered.
Yinka Quadri’s Grief Says It All
Of everyone present, it was Yinka Quadri whose grief resonated most deeply and for good reason. Quadri broke down in tears as the remains of his longtime colleague and close friend were carried for the burial rites, videos showing decades of brotherhood and shared history reduced to raw, visible pain. Just days before Ogogo’s passing, Quadri described as Ogogo’s best friend had posted a video from a special prayer session Nollywood stars and Yoruba filmmakers held on Friday, August 21, saying at the time: “No friend wey I don ever love like dis fellow actor.” That prayer session, meant to lift Ogogo’s spirits during his cancer battle, ended up being one of the community’s last collective moments with him before his death just two days later.
Words From the Ceremony
Veteran actress Fausat Balogun, fighting back tears, addressed the gathering in Yoruba: “We thank God. Ogogo was a good person. We are grateful to everyone who stood, thank you, may God be with you. God will take care of your children, Ogogo, you should also take care of your children. May you rest in peace,” she said before breaking down herself.
The End of a Difficult, Fast-Moving Week
Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at age 66, after battling stage-four cancer just days after his daughters Kira and Lima had publicly appealed for medical assistance, stressing they weren’t asking for money but for specialists who could take on his care. The Ogun State Government also mourned his passing, describing it as a significant loss to Nigeria’s creative and cultural heritage.</cite> From diagnosis appeal to burial, the entire, painful arc played out in less than two weeks a whirlwind that left the Yoruba film community little time to process before having to say a final goodbye.
Wahala Network Take
Watching an entire generation of Nollywood legends gather to carry one of their own to his final rest is a powerful reminder of just how tightly knit this industry’s community really is. Ogogo spent over four decades shaping Yoruba cinema today, that same community stood together to make sure he was sent off with the honor he earned.
Rest well, Ogogo. Nollywood will not forget you.
