Nollywood Mourns: Alexx Ekubo Dies at 40 After Battle with Stage 4 Cancer

LAGOS, Nigeria (Topping Africa) — May 13, 2026: Nigerian actor Alexx Ekubo has died at the age of 40, according to colleagues and close associates who confirmed the news on Tuesday, setting off a wave of mourning across Nollywood.

Ekubo, one of the recognizable faces of contemporary Nigerian screen culture, had been away from public view for some time.

Africanews reported that details surrounding his illness had not been made public, while some Nigerian outlets cited prolonged illness. His family had not stated at the time Punch filed its report.

The news moved quickly through Nigeria’s entertainment circles, where actors and fans reacted with shock. Funke Akindele, Bolanle Ninalowo, and Godwin Nnadiekwe were among those who publicly mourned him.

Nnadiekwe described the loss as devastating, calling Ekubo a rare presence in Nollywood. Africanews also reported tributes from actors including Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, and Mercy Johnson.

Ekubo built his reputation through romantic comedies, drama, and high-visibility screen roles, including performances in Weekend Getaway and The Bling Lagosians.

His appeal extended beyond acting into fashion, celebrity culture, and youth audiences who followed him closely online.

His long absence from Instagram had already raised concern among fans. Punch reported that his last Instagram post was on December 30, 2024, and that a recent video showing him in public sparked renewed questions about his well-being.

For Nollywood, the loss is not just personal. It comes as African film continues to command bigger audiences across streaming platforms, cinemas, and diaspora communities.

Ekubo belonged to the generation of actors who helped push Nigerian film from local dominance into a broader continental and global conversation.

His death now leaves the industry confronting another painful reminder of how quickly public figures can vanish from view while carrying private battles.

What comes next will depend on any formal statement from his family and the way Nollywood chooses to honour his work.

But the immediate reaction is already clear: Alexx Ekubo’s screen presence mattered, and his absence will be felt across African entertainment.