The Nigerian entertainment industry is in deep sorrow following the death of Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, who passed away at the age of 40 after a prolonged and private battle with cancer. News of his passing spread rapidly across social media, leaving colleagues, fans, and friends visibly devastated.
Shock and Grief Among Colleagues
Many of those closest to Ekubo were unaware of the severity of his condition. He carried his struggle quietly, often reassuring those who reached out that he was fine. Funke Akindele was among the first to mourn, sharing an emotional Instagram story: "I really tried to reach out to see you one more time, but guess you knew best. May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex. Ore mi, like you fondly called me, I will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together."
Kate Henshaw expressed her shock on X, revealing she had been sending messages with no response. "I had no idea," she wrote. "Been sending chats, no response. I just decided to give him some breathing space, not knowing."
Tributes from Fellow Actors
Actor Bolanle Ninalowo, reacting from the United States, wrote simply: "Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all." Godwin Nnadiekwe, a close colleague, said: "I'm struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul."
BBNaija star Pere shared a screenshot of his last conversation with Ekubo, noting: "You didn't say much, but that moment means even more to me now." Beauty Tukura and activist Omoyele Sowore also paid tribute, with Sowore describing Ekubo as "a rare talent whose presence lit up the screen effortlessly."
Social Media Outpouring
Blogger Tosin Silverdam described Ekubo as a "fine man" and "very talented actor." Influencer Cutie Juls posted: "Oh, cancer, why? Why? Shame on you." Rita Dominic shared broken heart emojis on X. The family has yet to release an official statement. Ekubo's last Instagram post was on December 30, 2024, and his prolonged absence had been a source of concern.
