Nigerians Pay Tribute to Nollywood Legend Taiwo Hassan “Ogogo” Following His Passing

Industry veterans and fans pay tribute to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, fondly known as Ògògó, following his passing.

Nollywood has lost one of its truest icons. Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, fondly known as Ògògó, passed on on Sunday, 23rd August 2026, at the age of 66 following a battle with stage four cancer. His colleagues and industry leaders confirmed the sad news, sharing that the legendary thespian is no longer with us.

Born on 31st October 1959 in Ilaro, Ogun State, Ògògó was a bona fide pioneer of Nigerian cinema. He began his journey in the early 1980s while working as an automobile mechanic, later leaving his civil service job at the Lagos State Water Corporation in 1994 to dedicate himself fully to acting. As a foundational member of the Odufa Caucus and a key figure in the travelling theatre era, he helped pave the way for the home video boom that defined 90s and 2000s Yoruba Nollywood.

Colleagues and fans mourn the passing of Ògògó, celebrating his decades of iconic performances on screen.

To generations of movie lovers, Ògògó was the ultimate screen presence. Celebrated in his early days for his poetic recitals and dapper style, he quickly captured hearts with his stoic charm, handsome looks, and remarkable charisma. Audiences knew him as the screen star who could command any room—and famously loved waiting for those fiery moments in every film where his character would finally lose his temper.

Over his four-decade career, he delivered unforgettable performances across countless classic productions. He cemented his status as a leading man in Tade Ogidan’s 90s masterpiece Owo Blow, playing the adult protagonist Owolabi—a Robin Hood-style character that remains etched in Nigerian pop culture. His screen impact inspired music legends, with Olamide’s 2016 track…