Nigerian Actor Alexx Ekubo Dies at 40 After Cancer Battle

Nigerian film star Alexx Ekubo died at age 40 on Monday night in a hospital in Lagos, according to local media. BBC News reported that the actor had been battling cancer for some time. " Tributes have been paid by colleagues in Nigeria's film industry, known as Nollywood.

Funke Akindele posted on social media: "Rest in Peace Alex. ... " The pair had acted together in the 2020 comedy Omo Ghetto - The Saga. "I tried to reach out. To see you one more time but guess you knew best," Akindele wrote, adding: "You kept telling me you are fine.

May your kind soul rest in peace Alex. " Filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, who gave Ekubo his first film role, described his passing as "devastating and unbelievable," according to Nigeria's Vanguard news site. A member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors told the BBC that Alexx Ekubo's death had left the association in shock.

Ekubo was best known for his roles in the film Weekend Getaway and the music video titled Johnny by Yemi Alade in 2013. He made his acting debut in the 2005 production Sinners in the House after Lancelot Imasuen gave him his first film role. The Nollywood star graduated with a degree in law from the University of Calabar.

Born on 10 April 1986 in Rivers State, Nigeria, Ekubo broke into stardom in 2010 after competing in the Mr Nigeria competition. In 2013, he won Best Supporting Actor in the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role as Andre Dikeh in Weekend Getaway. That same year he appeared in the music video titled Johnny by Yemi Alade.

Ekubo had received nine awards during his career. He won Best of Nollywood's Best Actor of the year in 2016 and Best Lead Actor in 2022. Nigeria's First Lady gave Alexx Ekubo a Special Recognition Award in 2018 for his contribution and development of the country's entertainment industry.

In 2020, he was inducted into the UN's Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40 for his efforts in entertainment and social development. The following year, Ekubo received an honorary doctorate in arts and culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion in Benin.

"Tonight is very special and dear to my heart because it's coming at quite a time," he said at the time.

His humanitarian work was also recognised. In 2021, he was given the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as the Global Social Giving Actor of the year for his charity work, according to his website.

Ekubo briefly courted controversy in 2021 when his fiancée, Nigerian-American actress and model Fancy Acholonu, ended their engagement about three months before their wedding. His last social media post appeared in December 2024, sparking concern for his health.

While his family and management are yet to issue a statement, tributes continue to emerge from across the Nigerian entertainment industry.