Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, August 24, as family members, colleagues and fans gathered for his final farewell.
ILARO, Nigeria — August 24, 2026 — Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, has been buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, one day after his death at the age of 66.
The actor was laid to rest on Monday, August 24, following Islamic funeral rites, as relatives, members of the Yoruba film industry and residents gathered to pay their final respects.
NTA confirmed Ogogo’s burial in Ilaro, describing the ceremony as the final farewell to an actor whose career stretched across more than four decades of Yoruba cinema.
TVC News also reported that the burial followed Janazah prayers at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro.
The burial closes the immediate chapter that began when XTRAfrica reported Ogogo’s death at 66 on Sunday after his family publicly confirmed his passing.
Nollywood stars gather in Ilaro for Ogogo’s funeral
Several well-known figures from the Yoruba film industry travelled to Ilaro to attend the burial.
According to TVC News, actors including Mister Latin, Dele Odule, Olaiya Igwe, Fathia Balogun and Kolawole Ajeyemi were among those who arrived to pay their respects.
Veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko had also arrived earlier as funeral activities began, while other colleagues including Ireti Osayemi joined family members and mourners in Ilaro.
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Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ Buried in Ilaro as Nollywood Stars Pay Tribute
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
5 min read
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Updated:
Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, August 24, as family members, colleagues and fans gathered for his final farewell.
ILARO, Nigeria — August 24, 2026 — Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, has been buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, one day after his death at the age of 66.
The actor was laid to rest on Monday, August 24, following Islamic funeral rites, as relatives, members of the Yoruba film industry and residents gathered to pay their final respects.
NTA confirmed Ogogo’s burial in Ilaro, describing the ceremony as the final farewell to an actor whose career stretched across more than four decades of Yoruba cinema.
TVC News also reported that the burial followed Janazah prayers at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro.
The burial closes the immediate chapter that began when XTRAfrica reported Ogogo’s death at 66 on Sunday after his family publicly confirmed his passing.
Nollywood stars gather in Ilaro for Ogogo’s funeral
Several well-known figures from the Yoruba film industry travelled to Ilaro to attend the burial.
According to TVC News, actors including Mister Latin, Dele Odule, Olaiya Igwe, Fathia Balogun and Kolawole Ajeyemi were among those who arrived to pay their respects.
Veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko had also arrived earlier as funeral activities began, while other colleagues including Ireti Osayemi joined family members and mourners in Ilaro.
The turnout reflected Ogogo’s long-standing influence in the Yoruba-language film industry and the relationships he built across several generations of actors.
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Burial held according to Islamic rites
Ogogo was buried in accordance with Islamic tradition.
TVC News reported that funeral prayers were held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground before the actor was laid to rest in Ilaro.
The burial came barely 24 hours after his death was announced.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had said Ogogo died at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, and that his remains would be taken to Ilaro ahead of the final rites.
A lying-in-state ceremony and prayers were also scheduled as family, colleagues and members of the community prepared to say goodbye.
Ogogo died after battle with stage-four cancer
Ogogo’s death followed a public disclosure from his family that he had been battling stage-four cancer.
His daughters had appealed for access to medical specialists and treatment options as his condition worsened.
In the days before his death, the family clarified that they were seeking medical help and expert guidance rather than simply asking for financial donations.
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His death was later confirmed by his daughter Kira and by colleagues in the film industry.
Earlier reports of his death on August 18 had been false and were publicly denied by the family at the time.
The confirmation on August 23 therefore marked a separate and final development in the actor’s health battle.
Ogun State pays tribute to Ogogo
The Ogun State Government also paid tribute to the veteran actor following his death.
TVC News reported that Governor Dapo Abiodun described Ogogo as a cultural icon whose work brought joy to audiences and helped promote Yoruba culture.
The governor said the actor’s death was a major loss not only to his family and Ilaro community but also to Ogun State and Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The tributes added to the reactions from actors, filmmakers, fans and public figures who remembered Ogogo for his contribution to Nigerian cinema.
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A four-decade legacy in Yoruba cinema
Born on October 31, 1959, Taiwo Hassan became one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba-language Nollywood.
His acting career began in the early 1980s and later expanded into film production, directing and screenwriting.
Ogogo became widely known for roles in productions such as Owo Blow, Omo Ghetto, Tenant of the House and Bank Alert.
A younger generation of viewers also saw him in Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó, where he played Alaafin Ademuyiwa.
His career connected the earlier Yoruba theatre and home-video era with the modern streaming generation of Nollywood.
With his burial now completed in Ilaro, the focus is shifting from the circumstances surrounding his death to the body of work and cultural legacy he leaves behind.
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