Veteran Nollywood Actor, Scholar Kola Oyewo Dies at 80

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor and distinguished academic, Professor Kola Oyewo. He was 80 years old. The legendary thespian passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, after a brief illness. His death was confirmed by his colleague in the movie industry, Kunle Afod, as well as a separate announcement by his son, Adetoyese Oyewo. The family, in a statement signed by Adewale Oyewo, described the deceased as a man who lived “a life of purpose, faith, dedication, and service.”

Announcing the passing on social media, Kunle Afod described the late actor as a legend whose remarkable talent and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry would continue to inspire future generations. “Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow. His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten,” Afod wrote.

Born Gabriel Adekola Akangbe Oyewo on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his professional acting career in 1964 with the renowned Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group. His first role was Adejare in Orogun Adedigba, Oyin Adejobi’s autobiography. He spent nine years with the group, honing his craft and learning the ropes of the travelling theatre tradition that dominated Yoruba entertainment at the time. He later transitioned to the University of Ife Theatre, where he collaborated with the late dramatist Chief Ola Rotimi. It was there that his career would take a defining turn.

Oyewo gained widespread recognition across the African theatre scene for his powerful portrayal of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s renowned play, The Gods Are Not to Blame. The performance remains one of the defining interpretations in African theatre history and established him as a respected figure across the continent’s dramatic landscape. This role elevated him beyond the boundaries of Yoruba theatre and placed him among the pantheon of Nigerian acting greats.

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Over a career spanning more than six decades, Oyewo featured in numerous acclaimed productions. He was best known to television audiences for his role in the classic film Saworoide, where he delivered a memorable performance. His other notable works include Sango, the epic tale of the Yoruba deity of thunder; Koseegbe; Super Story, the popular television drama series; Efunsetan Aniwura; O Le Ku; Yemoja; Omo University; Ayomi; Ewon Laafin; and Oba Bi Olorun. At a time when the Nigerian film industry was evolving from traditional travelling theatre to modern Nollywood, Oyewo stood as one of the bridge figures who carried the richness of indigenous storytelling into a new era. He successfully navigated both the Yoruba-language film sector and mainstream Nigerian cinema.

In addition to his extensive career in Yoruba theatre and mainstream Nigerian cinema, Oyewo was a distinguished scholar. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) , where he obtained certificates in dramatic arts and Yoruba oral literature. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from OAU in 1995. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a Master of Arts and a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Drama. This academic journey transformed him from a practitioner into a scholar who could both perform and teach the theory behind the art. He served as a senior lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University from 1996 until his retirement in September 2011. After retiring from OAU, he joined Redeemer’s University, where he served as head of the Department of Dramatic Arts. He subsequently worked at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a lecturer in performing arts. Through decades of teaching, research, and mentorship, he helped shape generations of actors, playwrights, scholars, and cultural practitioners. His work as a lecturer and mentor may represent his most enduring impact – the students he trained and the cultural knowledge he helped preserve.

In April 2026, just two months before his death, Oyewo had publicly revealed his struggle with prostate enlargement. He disclosed that the condition had slowed him down and limited the roles he could take in films and stage productions. Speaking candidly about his health at the time, he said: “Before now, I could be here and there and play any role, but the sickness laid me back. I can’t play some roles anymore. Except for some minor roles. Well, thank God I am okay now. You can’t go through some kind of sickness and go back to how you’ve been before, but I thank God.” His openness about his health struggles was characteristic of a man who believed in transparency and used his platform to encourage older adults to take their health seriously.

Earlier this year, as Oyewo celebrated his 80th birthday in March 2026, President Bola Tinubu described him as a “national treasure” and a worthy ambassador of Yoruba theatre and Nigerian storytelling. The President emphasized Oyewo’s long-standing influence on academia, theater, and film, stating that generations of performing arts practitioners and scholars have been impacted by the veteran actor’s work. The presidential recognition underscored the high regard in which Oyewo was held, not just within the entertainment industry, but at the highest levels of the Nigerian state.

Oyewo’s passing underscores the gradual departure of a generation that laid the foundations for modern Nollywood. Before streaming platforms, social media promotion, and blockbuster premieres, there were theatre practitioners like him who travelled, performed, taught, and documented Nigerian stories with unwavering dedication. Their work created the cultural ecosystem upon which today’s industry stands. What distinguished Kola Oyewo was not celebrity, but longevity and intellectual depth. Few performers successfully navigated traditional theatre, film, television, and academia while maintaining relevance across generations. He did so with quiet authority and a deep respect for craft. His career became a living archive of Nigerian performance history. The curtain has fallen on one of Nigeria’s most respected theatre icons, but his voice will continue to echo through classrooms, stages, and screens for years to come. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Further details regarding his funeral arrangements and official memorial services are expected to be announced by the family and university authorities in the coming days.

Veteran Nollywood Actor, Scholar Kola Oyewo Dies at 80

Davido Turns World Cup Stage Into Protest – Wears Jacket Bearing Names of Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren at FIFA Concert

LOS ANGELES – Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, transformed his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert into a powerful plea for justice on Wednesday, wearing a customized jacket bearing the names of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in Oyo State, Nigeria. Taking the stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Grammy-nominated singer used one of football’s biggest global stages to spotlight the security crisis back home, demanding immediate government action for the victims who remain in captivity. The concert formed part of FIFA’s global countdown activities, with simultaneous events held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the lead-up to football’s biggest tournament. Davido performed alongside American singer America Foster, electronic music group Major Lazer, and renowned producer and DJ Diplo. By displaying the victims’ names before a global audience, the singer effectively transformed a World Cup celebration into a platform for advocacy, ensuring that the plight of the abducted children and their teachers reached millions beyond Nigeria’s borders.

A viral backstage video revealed the striking details of Davido’s carefully planned attire. The singer wore a white T-shirt reading “NIGERIA” beneath a black leather jacket. The jacket featured the message “BRING THEM HOME” boldly printed across the back and was decorated with green circular buttons on the front. Each button bore the name of a kidnapped victim. In a poignant design choice, the names of those still in captivity were written in white, while the names of those who had lost their lives were inscribed in red. The victims were pupils and teachers abducted during a deadly attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. Armed bandits reportedly stormed the schools, abducting dozens of students and teachers, including a vice-principal. One teacher was killed during the attack, while another abducted teacher was later murdered by the kidnappers. Before his musical performance, Davido addressed the international audience, saying: “Peace and love everywhere. May God be with the families of the abducted and the ones who have been killed.”

Before his musical performance, Davido addressed the international audience, expressing grief over the pace of rescue operations and urging both federal and state governments to hasten their intervention. “They still haven’t been rescued, we’re praying to God every day. We’re also praying to God that the government hastens. My country is going through a lot. We represent everywhere we go,” the singer added. The May 15 abduction has triggered nationwide outrage, prompting solidarity protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and an indefinite strike by teachers in Oyo State. The incident has generated widespread public concern, intensified by distress messages released by the school’s principal regarding the harsh conditions the hostages are facing.

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Davido’s gesture at the FIFA concert is the latest in a series of public interventions by the singer on Nigeria’s worsening security situation. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) , he expressed concern over the growing wave of kidnappings across the country. He wrote: “I’m weak. God, please take control; we can’t continue like this. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I can’t lie, we entertainers, including me, need to speak up.” The post drew widespread reactions from celebrities and public figures, including actress and content creator Kiekie, comedian and filmmaker AY Makun, and singer Tiwa Savage.

Amid public outcry over the Federal Government’s perceived indifference to the plight of the students, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement assuring parents that his administration would ensure the safe return of the abducted children. Tinubu declared that he had “directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country. These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.” Beyond securing the safe return of the students, President Tinubu also expressed his administration’s determination to provide medical care for the children once they regain their freedom.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has also intervened repeatedly, meeting with relatives of the victims and assuring them that security agencies were working relentlessly to secure their release. During a meeting with affected families, the governor described the kidnappers’ actions as cruel and inhumane, pledging that authorities would continue rescue efforts until all the abductees were safely reunited with their loved ones.

Photos and videos of the performance quickly circulated online, prompting praise from many Nigerians who commended the singer for drawing international attention to the abduction crisis. Many social media users described the gesture as a powerful reminder that, amid the excitement surrounding the World Cup, some Nigerian families are still waiting for their children and loved ones to come home.

Davido’s tribute comes at a time when concerns over insecurity and school abductions remain high across parts of Nigeria. More than three weeks after the abduction, many relatives remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones and continue to appeal for their safe return. For families of the victims, the singer’s message carried a significance far beyond fashion or entertainment. As concerns over insecurity continue to mount, more celebrities and citizens have joined calls for stronger government action to protect lives and tackle rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime across the nation. Key events in this developing story include: on May 15, 2026, armed bandits attacked schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers, with one teacher killed during the attack and another later murdered by kidnappers; on June 10, 2026, Davido performed at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert in Los Angeles, wearing a custom jacket bearing victims’ names and addressing the global audience; and following the concert, President Tinubu issued a statement on rescue operations while Governor Makinde met with affected families. The victims remain in captivity as rescue operations continue. This is a developing story. More details will be provided as information becomes available from Nigerian security agencies and government officials. Key details to remember: the abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State; victims include pupils, teachers, and a vice-principal; one teacher was killed during the attack and another was later murdered; Davido wore a jacket with “BRING THE HOME” and buttons bearing victims’ names at the FIFA concert on June 10, 2026; President Tinubu has ordered intensified rescue operations; and Governor Makinde has met with affected families.

Davido Turns World Cup Stage Into Protest – Wears Jacket Bearing Names of Kidnapped Oyo Schoolchildren at FIFA Concert

Oyo Abduction: “Don’t Come Under My Post to Act Silly” – Dayo Amusa Warns Online Trolls

Nollywood actress and senior member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has fiercely rejected online bullying, insisting that entertainers cannot be forced to abandon their livelihoods every time the nation faces a security crisis.

In a passionate social media outburst that has since gone viral, Dayo Amusa accused some Nigerians of attempting to silence the creative industry through relentless online attacks. The controversy erupted after social media users criticised celebrities for continuing to promote their movies and businesses amid the growing outrage over the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Oyo State.

The actress’s remarks come against the backdrop of a terrifying escalation in school kidnappings across Nigeria. According to authenticated reports, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, no fewer than 551 students and school staff have been abducted in nine major incidents since 2023. The latest and most alarming attack occurred on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, South-West Nigeria — a region historically less affected by mass abductions. Gunmen raided three schools: Community High School Ahoro-Esiele, Primary School Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. Dozens of pupils and teachers were taken. Among the abducted was the vice principal of Community Grammar School, Alamu Folawe. A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed during the raid. The attack has sent shockwaves across the South-West, with security analysts linking the incident to military pressure pushing terrorist groups from northern zones into southern forests, including the Old Oyo National Park.

Dayo Amusa, who was sworn in as the AGN South-West Vice President in February 2026, did not hold back in her strongly worded statement. She wrote, “The bullying many of you subject our colleagues to in the creative industry is crazy. They freely can’t share their opinion, they can’t post their jobs without being called insensitive. We go to banks to take loans to shoot movies with high interest rates, but you want us to suspend our jobs and be posting videos of kidnapping and cursing the government daily while you’re in your own office tweeting and enjoying your environment.” The actress emphasized that filmmaking is not a hobby but a high-stakes business, often funded through bank loans with double-digit interest rates. She argued that asking actors and filmmakers to pause promotions indefinitely is not only unreasonable but financially destructive.

Amusa made it clear that she would not be silenced or intimidated by online mobs or cancel culture. She stated, “The day I decided to start using this app actively, I made up my mind that many of you trolls don’t matter. I won’t pander to mobs as I didn’t build my brand on it.” She warned persistent attackers to stay away from her page, revealing that she has multiple streams of income and would not hesitate to shut down online provocation. “I have other strings of income. Don’t come under my post to act silly, I’ll send you home,” she added.

While Amusa’s stance has drawn support from colleagues in the entertainment industry, it has also sparked debate. Some argue that celebrity influence should be used to amplify national tragedies, while others side with the actress, stating that online bullying achieves nothing and that entertainers have every right to work. The Nigerian government has largely remained silent on tactical rescue operations, citing operational security risks. A presidential aide, Dada Olusegun, explained, “The kidnappers are on social media with us and follow the trends to get updates. You cannot possibly expect the government to update rescue plans on social media if you really have the interest of those kids at heart.” On the ground, however, frustration is boiling over. In the affected Oyo communities, grieving parents recently rejected rice and cash relief packages offered by the government, insisting they only want the safe return of their children.

Despite her strong rebuke of online trolls, the actress did not dismiss the tragedy. She concluded her statement with a heartfelt prayer for the victims: “That said, may God bring succour to the family of the kids and teachers kidnapped in Oyo.”

In summary, key points from this story include the following. Dayo Amusa has become a leading voice defending celebrities against forced silence during national tragedies. The statistics are staggering, with over 551 students and staff abducted in Nigeria since 2023 alone. The Oyo State school kidnappings mark a dangerous expansion of mass abductions into the South-West for the first time at this scale. As AGN Vice President, Amusa revealed that many actors take high-interest bank loans to fund their movies. She described online bullying against entertainers as “crazy” and refused to pander to mobs. Meanwhile, the government cites operational security for its limited public updates on rescue efforts, even as grieving parents reject aid packages and demand only the safe return of their children.

Oyo Abduction: “Don’t Come Under My Post to Act Silly” – Dayo Amusa Warns Online Trolls