Tragedy has struck the Nigerian entertainment industry as popular Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo has passed away after complications from liver cancer.
He was aged 40.
The actor’s death was confirmed on Tuesday by his colleagues, Funke Akindele, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Godwin Nnadiekwe, who are his allies.
Sharing on her reels on Instagram, Funke Akindele wrote, “Hmmmmmm. Rest in peace, Alex.”
Taking to his official Facebook page, Ninalowo, who is currently in the US, also expressed his sorrow. He wrote, “Rest on, Alex.” May God cure all of us, including your family.
Correspondingly, Nnadiekwe said, “I’m having trouble finding the right words.” I’m really devastated by this news.
“Alex Ekubo is a precious spirit that Nollywood has lost, and I’m at a loss for words because this wasn’t the idea. I can’t exactly put into words how heartbreaking it is to think that you have already prepared your will. Get plenty of rest, my friend.
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As of the time of filing this report, his family had not released a comment regarding his passing. A source said the actor had been battling liver cancer for years now.
Recall that fans across social media recently expressed concerns for Ekubo following his first public appearance after months of social media silence.
The light-skinned movie star had been absent from Instagram since December 30, 2024, sparking speculation about his well-being.
However, a recent video that surfaced online brought him back into the spotlight, though it also raised further questions.
In the viral clip, Ekubo was seen interacting with a group of children, appearing noticeably slimmer and subdued.
The video, posted by user @AsakyGRN on X (formerly Twitter), was captioned, “Alex Ekubo spotted for the first time since disappearing from social media.”
The footage triggered a wave of emotional reactions from fans, many of whom noted a significant change in his appearance and questioned his wellbeing.
Before his demise, the actor dismissed marriage in favour of his quest to earn more money in the film industry.
In January 2023, his then-lover, Fancy Acholonu, in an interview, revealed that she dated the late actor for five years without them having any intimacy.
The actor passed away on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, 2026, after spending hours on life support. Alex was rumoured to be suffering from serious health issues in May 2025 after months of social media disappearance.
