Tributes have continued to pour in for veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who died on Sunday, August 23, at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer.
At the premiere of King Kosoko, a film Ogogo starred in before his death, actor Femi Adebayo struggled to hold back tears as he paid tribute to his late colleague. The movie was produced by Adebayo Tijani, Femi’s brother.
Femi described Ogogo as a man who fought hard against his illness and commended the late actor’s family for the support they gave him during treatment. He broke down mid-speech and paused to compose himself before continuing. He then appealed to the public to watch King Kosoko, noting the resources producers and investors had put into the project.
The tributes extended beyond Nollywood. At the Mushin 30th Anniversary Celebration, Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM1, became emotional on stage after learning of Ogogo’s death during his performance. He was consoled by an associate as the news visibly shook him.
Fellow Fuji musician Malaika also paid an emotional tribute at the event. “His death really hit hard. I’m in pain,” she said.
Separately, a 2025 interview with Ogogo resurfaced online this week, drawing renewed attention to health struggles he had publicly discussed. In the interview, originally published by Oyinmomo TV on July 4, 2025, Ogogo described a seven-year battle with a severe ulcer that caused him to vomit blood and left him unable to eat solid food for long stretches. He said in the interview that he prayed while seated for seven months due to the pain. He also said the condition worsened after he self-medicated for malaria, a detail that has since sparked wider conversation online about self-medication habits in Nigeria.
Kira Taiwo, daughter of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, shared screenshots of her last conversation with her father on her Instagram Story on Monday, August 24, 2026, a day after his death.
Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, at about 3:00 p.m., according to The Nation. He was 66.
The messages, dated July 26, showed Ogogo comforting his daughter rather than the other way round, despite being seriously ill with stage-four cancer at the time.
“How are you? I heard you are crying. Seeing you and your sisters smile is making me strong. If you cry, it will make me sad, and I will start to think,” Ogogo wrote.
A Muslim, Ogogo urged Kira to place her trust in Allah. “Be strong. I am strong. Nothing is going to happen to me, insha Allah. If you do, then don’t cry, my princess,” he added.
Kira replied, “Daddy, I’m not crying oo… don’t mind Haleemah. I trust in Allah, sir. I love you very much.”
Ogogo responded, “Love u too, my princess.”
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The exchange came weeks after Kira and her sister, Lima, publicly disclosed their father’s cancer diagnosis and appealed for support. Lima said the family only learned how serious the illness was about three weeks before his death, since his appearance had not shown it. Kira also said doctors had stopped chemotherapy and the family had turned to seeking alternatives.
Ogogo, a leading figure in Yoruba-language Nollywood, is remembered for his decades-long career and for mentoring younger actors, including Femi Adebayo, for whom he gave his first role in Owo Blow.
