Prominent Nigerians have continued to mourn veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who will be buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, following his death on Sunday at the age of 66.
Hassan reportedly died at about 3pm on Sunday after battling stage-four cancer.
The burial arrangements were announced by veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, in a statement shared on his Instagram page.
The statement read, “With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the passing of ALHAJI TAIWO HASSAN, popularly known as OGOGO, who passed away at 3:00 p.m. today Sunday, 23rd August 2026. At 66 years.
“His remains will be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State today where the Laying-in-State Ceremony will take place tomorrow.
“Date: Monday, 24th August 2026. Time: 11:00 a.m.Venue: Pavillon, Ilaro, Ogun State.”
In a statement released on Sunday by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the government described Ogogo as “a shining light” whose talent, discipline and commitment helped elevate Nigerian culture and project the richness of Yoruba heritage to audiences in Nigeria and beyond.
The statement said, “Throughout his illustrious career, Taiwo Hassan distinguished himself by his exceptional artistry, humility, candour, dignity and respect for others.
“He carried himself with uncommon grace and professionalism, earning the admiration of colleagues, fans and generations of Nigerians.”
The state government further noted that as an Ilaro-born indigene, Ogogo remained a proud ambassador of his roots and contributed to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba language, traditions and values through theatre, film and television.
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Ogun State and the Senator representing OgunWest, Solomon Adeola, fondly called Yayi alsoexpressed great sadness and regrets at the demise of veteran actor, Taiwo Hasan, popularly called Ogogoafter battle with ailment diagnosed to be cancer.
A condolence message to the family of the late actor signed by the Media Adviser to the senator, described the death of Ogogo “as a monumental loss to the creative and entertainment industry” strsssing that his demise at this time is loss to the family, Ogun State and indeed, Nigeria.
It read in part, “I am greatly saddened by the death of a brother who believed and worked assiduously for my cause and the cause of our people. I sympathize with his immediate family for their efforts and struggles to keep the dearly departed alive following his illness. God knows best in all circumstances “the senator stated.
The senator also promised to continue to support the immediate family in their hour of need adding that the good deeds of the patriarch of the family to the society will not be forgotten.
Popular actor, Odunlade Adekola, wrote on Instagram, “He was a great star till his last day. Good night. Great legend.”
Another popular actor, Femi Adebayo, also wrote on social media, “Sir T…some people leave behind memories. Some leave behind a legacy that time can never erase. Thank you for the years, the stories, the lessons and the moments that made us fall in love with the craft. You were a true pillar of Yoruba cinema, and your impact will live on in generations to come.
“Rest well, Sir Taiwo Hassan. You will forever be Ogoto to us. Adieu, legend.”
Actor and filmmaker, Saidi Balogun, wrote on Instagram, “You can rest now my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful.”
Another actor, Bolanle Ninalowo, wrote, “I was truly fortunate to have met you, and shared the screem with you, baba Ogogo. Rest on, legend. Thank you for paving the way for me and many others.”
Ogogo’s death came only days after the Yoruba film industry had rallied around him in an effort to save his life after his family disclosed that he was battling stage-four cancer.
His daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, had earlier taken to social media to appeal for urgent medical assistance, saying they were desperate to find specialists and facilities capable of treating their father.
The development triggered a huge response from Nigerians, with actors, politicians, medical professionals, spiritual leaders and fans offering different forms of assistance.
Daughter’s desperate appeal
The seriousness of Ogogo’s condition became public on August 17, when his daughters separately appealed for help.
Lima said the family had only recently become aware of how serious their father’s condition was, adding that his physical appearance had initially not suggested the severity of the illness.
She appealed to anyone capable of taking on the case to intervene, stressing that the family was seeking medical assistance rather than financial donations.
Kira, in another emotional video, disclosed that Ogogo had stage-four cancer and claimed that the hospital treating him could no longer administer chemotherapy.
“Hello everyone, I’m here for my daddy. He has cancer and is in stage four,” she said, appealing to anyone who could provide treatment to contact the family.
She also revealed the emotional toll the illness was taking on the family, saying her father had expressed his fear of dying and that she had never seen him in such pain.
The appeals immediately attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in Nollywood.
Actor Femi Adebayo called for Nigerians to rally around Ogogo and help the family find medical professionals and facilities that could review his medical records and offer treatment options. Actress Toyin Abraham also shared the daughters’ appeal and asked anyone who could help to contact the family.
Colleagues rally to save him
As the news of Ogogo’s condition spread, members of the Yoruba film community moved quickly to support him.
Veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, became involved in coordinating the numerous offers of assistance. He disclosed that more than 300 people, and eventually possibly over 500, had contacted the family with offers of medical, spiritual and other interventions.
The sheer volume of offers, however, created another challenge of determining which interventions were credible and potentially beneficial without moving Ogogo from the hospital while he was seriously ill.
Kosoko explained that some people offering spiritual or other forms of assistance wanted the actor brought to them, but that moving him from the hospital was extremely difficult because of his condition.
Several prominent actors, including Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, popularly known as Madam Saje, Yinka Quadri, Rotimi Salami, Mr Latin, Adewale Elesho and Antar Laniyan, were also captured in a video praying for Ogogo and seeking divine intervention for his recovery.
Despite the extensive efforts, the actor eventually succumbed to the illness.
Allegations of financial exploitation
While Nigerians were mobilising to save Ogogo, the family’s ordeal also generated controversy after Kira accused some individuals of allegedly attempting to profit from her father’s illness.
During an emotional TikTok live session on Saturday, she alleged that some people who claimed they could help had made financial demands running into millions of naira and thousands of dollars.
According to Kira, the family was confronted with demands including N800,000, N5m, $11,000 and $18,000.
“My father is a good father. Some people are even trying to make money with us in this whole situation. Fear God,” she said.
Kira stressed that the family was not looking to raise money through the public appeal but wanted credible medical intervention that could save her father.
The allegations added another layer to an already distressing situation, as the family had to sift through hundreds of offers while dealing with the desperation of a loved one battling advanced cancer.
There was also confusion over the daughters’ earlier claim that hospitals had stopped treating Ogogo.
A doctor and content creator, Olusina Ajidahun, popularly known as The Bearded Dr Sina, explained that saying hospitals had “refused” to treat the actor could create a misleading impression. He noted that patients with stage-four cancer may be moved to palliative care when chemotherapy and other disease-directed treatments have been exhausted or are no longer considered appropriate.
He also warned against unverified herbal remedies for advanced cancer.
Ogogo’s earlier battle with another illness
It’s important to note that the actor’s final illness was not his first major health battle.
He had previously survived a severe illness that lasted several years and at one point left him extremely thin and unable to eat normally.
In an interview in 2025, he recalled battling chronic ulcer for about seven years. He said he vomited blood for seven months and survived for long periods on pap because he could not tolerate other food.
He also recalled experiencing severe chest and stomach pains and having to pray while sitting because of his weakened condition.
His earlier illness was accompanied by wild rumoursabout his health. At the height of his weight loss, some people alleged that he had HIV/AIDS, while another rumour claimed that he had swallowed cocaine which had burst in his stomach.
Ogogo repeatedly denied the drug-trafficking allegation and explained that his health problems were connected to serious ulcer-related complications. In an earlier account, he also said he had undergone surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis.
The ordeal was so severe that his daughter once recalled how painful the period was for the family, saying she saw her father survive on pap and water for years.
From mechanic workshop to acting fame
Born in Ilaro, Ogun State, Taiwo Hassan began his working life away from the entertainment industry.
He reportedly trained in automobile engineering and worked with the Lagos State Water Corporation for about 13 years before eventually resigning to pursue acting full-time.
His journey into acting began in the travelling theatre tradition. One of his earliest major stage appearances was as Akiigbe, an ewi chanter, in a production at the National Museum in Lagos in the early 1980s.
His talent for oriki and chanting became one of his trademarks and eventually earned him the nickname “Ogogo”.
He later became part of the group of actors associated with the Odunfa Caucus, a collective that included some of the most influential names in the Yoruba film industry.
His first screen credit was ‘The Wicked Boy’, which he also produced, followed by ‘Elewon’ and ‘The Merciful God’. He, however, became a household name after playing the lead role in Tade Ogidan’s ‘OwoBlow’, a performance that earned him the Best Actor award at THEMA ’97.
Other films associated with his career include ‘Delicate Cane’, ‘Tears of Joy’, ‘Idajo Olorun’, ‘Legal Wife’, ‘Eleran Igbe’, ‘Ore Ijiji’, ‘Iya Ibeji’ and ‘Ojo Ogbo’. He also featured in later productions including ‘Queen Lateefat’.
Over more than four decades, Ogogo became one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba-language cinema and was credited with more than 300 film appearances.
Relationship with Yinka Quadri
One of the most talked-about relationships in Ogogo’s career was his friendship with fellow veteran actor, Yinka Quadri.
The pair became friends in the 1980s and were part of the circle that helped shape the modern Yoruba film industry. Ogogo once described Quadri as one of his closest friends and said their friendship had been built on mutual understanding.
In a previous interview, Ogogo explained that they met through Rasaq Ajao, popularly known as Araosan, and that recitation and theatre eventually brought them together.
Quadri’s son also described Ogogo as his father’s closest friend, saying the relationship dated back to before he was born.
However, the relationship later suffered a long-running rift. The reason for the disagreement was never publicly established, although Quadri’s absence from some of Ogogo’s family events fuelled speculation about the state of their friendship.
In May 2024, the two veterans publicly reconciled at Yomi Fabiyi’s birthday and housewarming ceremony after a traditional chanter, Sulaiman Ajobiewe, urged them to settle their differences. The pair embraced, effectively ending the publicised feud.
When Ogogo’s health deteriorated this month, Quadri again stood beside his old friend, helping to coordinate the overwhelming offers of assistance and publicly thanking Nigerians for their prayers.
His statement that hundreds of people had offered to help underscored the breadth of Ogogo’s influence within and beyond the Yoruba film community.
A lasting legacy
Ogogo’s death closes the chapter on the career of one of the actors who helped bridge Nigeria’s travelling theatre tradition and the modern Yoruba movie industry.
From his days as an engineer and theatre performer to his emergence as a producer, filmmaker and award-winning actor, he remained a prominent figure for more than four decades.
(Punch)
