Industry veterans and fans pay tribute to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, fondly known as Ògògó, following his passing.
Nollywood has lost one of its truest icons. Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, fondly known as Ògògó, passed on on Sunday, 23rd August 2026, at the age of 66 following a battle with stage four cancer. His colleagues and industry leaders confirmed the sad news, sharing that the legendary thespian is no longer with us.
Born on 31st October 1959 in Ilaro, Ogun State, Ògògó was a bona fide pioneer of Nigerian cinema. He began his journey in the early 1980s while working as an automobile mechanic, later leaving his civil service job at the Lagos State Water Corporation in 1994 to dedicate himself fully to acting. As a foundational member of the Odufa Caucus and a key figure in the travelling theatre era, he helped pave the way for the home video boom that defined 90s and 2000s Yoruba Nollywood.
Colleagues and fans mourn the passing of Ògògó, celebrating his decades of iconic performances on screen.
To generations of movie lovers, Ògògó was the ultimate screen presence. Celebrated in his early days for his poetic recitals and dapper style, he quickly captured hearts with his stoic charm, handsome looks, and remarkable charisma. Audiences knew him as the screen star who could command any room—and famously loved waiting for those fiery moments in every film where his character would finally lose his temper.
Over his four-decade career, he delivered unforgettable performances across countless classic productions. He cemented his status as a leading man in Tade Ogidan’s 90s masterpiece Owo Blow, playing the adult protagonist Owolabi—a Robin Hood-style character that remains etched in Nigerian pop culture. His screen impact inspired music legends, with Olamide’s 2016 track Owo Blow and Burna Boy’s Last Last drawing from his legacy. More recently, he gave fans complete goosebumps with his memorable vocal chant and acting performance in the Netflix hit series Seven Doors, adding to a modern slate that also included playing King Alaafin Adeyemi in Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó.
Taiwo Hassan Ògògó leaves behind a four-decade screen legacy across classic home videos and cinema hits like Owo Blow and Seven Doors.
News of his passing has triggered a deeply emotional response across Nigeria and the global Nollywood community. Fans, colleagues, and industry leaders have taken to social media to celebrate a titan who shaped the golden era of home videos, remembering his voice, timeless grace, and the indelible legacy he leaves behind.
See how Nigerians are paying tribute to the icon:
There is no Nollywood boy that has the beauty and the Charisma of Ogogo, none. One of one!
— Elizabeth Gaskell stan account (@Ms_Ojo) August 23, 2026
The full video of K1 De Ultimate’s tribute song to Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo).
K1 De Ultimate began to cry when he started to eulogize Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) to the extent that he couldn’t control the tears anymore. His band members had to console him on stage to stop crying. https://t.co/ByXpPBTxbE pic.twitter.com/xCMkbv6BMg
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) August 23, 2026
Ògògó was one of the most iconic Yoruba Nollywood stars of the home video from the 90s. We took his looks for granted, and he wore his attractiveness lightly, like he himself was not aware of it. I always thought he looked like a US Soul music star in the rough. Rest in peace.
https://t.co/stj1icymIT
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) August 23, 2026
Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan has passed away. Aged 66, he was a pioneer of the travelling theatre, a bona fide member of the Odufa Caucus, whose work contributed to the transition to home videos, which reached peak popularity in the 90s and 00s. Renowned in his earlier career for… pic.twitter.com/lYBjmXhh2m
— Dami Ajayi (@JollyPaps1) August 23, 2026
This is what “Action por bi Ogogo” means
If area boys reach 10, Ogogo will beat them one by oneEvery Yoruba household back then in 90s has a girl that is crushing on Ogogo
You’ll forever be remembered for all the good memories https://t.co/QCLT4RpQA9 pic.twitter.com/aCnK4SFxrq
— Big Uncle (@Usmanashafe) August 23, 2026
RIP Ogogo
Thank you for giving us the “Breakfast” slangFor those who don’t know, here’s where the slang originated from pic.twitter.com/Hqup0Vf7vO
— The Creative ® (@thecreativexx) August 23, 2026
He became a leading man of Yoruba films, roles not suited to the original skill he took into the theatre–as an oriki chant performer. Had to take a Femi Adebayo, born into the industry and obviously aware of that talent, to have him relive it one last time in The Seven Doors. https://t.co/K7NRlTVbw8
— deji toye (@dejitoye) August 23, 2026
Ti awo ba ki fun ni, a ma ki fun awo pada, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo chanting for Ibrahim Chatta
Skill, not just shouting ‘Eeeeehhhh…’ up and down pic.twitter.com/Owy4uVMkbB
— Penfold (@remiopakunle) December 15, 2024
There’s something about Ogogo characters and his real-life persona that a lot haven’t really said.
He demonstrated that one can be Omo Lille (physically energetic) and not use to it for the wrong reasons.
He exemplified strength without lack of discipline, never used his…
— Yemi King (@TheYemiKing) August 24, 2026
This got me so emotional
That unique voice is gone!
RIP Ogogo pic.twitter.com/L4t6wY7UXH— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) August 23, 2026
Rest in peace, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. There is no shame in death, and I hope his children find the strength to accept his transition with dignity. Ogogo deserves nothing else.
— The Jídé Taiwo (@thejidetaiwo) August 23, 2026
How beautiful is this unhurried chant riffed in unrehearsed praise of a junior colleague, who’s humbled by the honour and the grace? This is poetry, this is Rap. As a Yoruba expression of pure love and adoration, it doesn’t get any better than this. https://t.co/3SrFbFDEo7
— Molara Wood (@molarawood) August 23, 2026
Ogogo made our childhood special. Thankful for all the memories, Rest easy, legend.
— BIG FISH (@adekunleGOLD) August 24, 2026
Growing up, whenever older Yoruba women around me said, “omokunrin to hanz,” Ogogo was always the example.
“O fine bi Ogogo”
Like four different generations of women fell in love with him.
— Take the Disability Quiz in my bio
(@misty_abisola) August 24, 2026
How does one begin to even write about Ogogo’s run in the 90s and 2000s.
— Ayomide Tayo (@AOT2) August 23, 2026
Oga Bello’s caption on instagram made me cry “the Action has ended, the Actor is no more”
— Emerald
هداية (@Mz_Tosyn) August 23, 2026
My takeaway from all these Ogogo issues is that he is a good man, a good colleague in the industry and definitely a good father to his children. I pray Allah eases his affairs.
— Daddy Yas!!! (@Abu_Yaaseer) August 23, 2026
If you made a list of greatest Yoruba actors of the modern era, Ogogo is top 3. He’s probably 1.
The man was a leading man who starred in the biggest productions of the 90s and 2000s.
The best reference points for his stardom;
– Ogogo & Ireti angles
– Owo Blow
– 23/24— Motolani Alake (@OneMotolani) August 23, 2026
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Photo Credit: Jibril Taiwo/Instagram
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