Nigeria’s film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of Alexx Ekubo, one of Nollywood’s most prominent actors, who passed away at the age of 40 after battling advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
The actor’s family confirmed his death in a statement shared on his verified social media page, revealing that he died at Evercare Hospital after what they described as a brief but courageous struggle with the illness. They said he remained strong through the difficult period, holding firmly to faith and hope despite the worsening health condition.
According to the statement, the late actor endured his illness largely away from the public eye and had hoped to recover before eventually sharing his story. The family appealed for privacy as they make arrangements for his burial and other related matters.
The announcement has sparked an outpouring of grief across the entertainment industry, with colleagues, fans and close associates flooding social media with tributes to celebrate his life and career.
Among those who paid tribute was Funke Akindele, who wrote that she had hoped to see him one last time and would forever cherish their memories together. Bolanle Ninalowo also mourned his passing, while Godwin Nnadiekwe described the news as heartbreaking, saying Nollywood had lost a rare talent.
Other celebrities who reacted to his death include AY Makun, Mo Abudu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, Yvonne Jegede, Ruth Kadiri, Yul Edochie and Peter Okoye.
Born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Ekubo hailed from Arochukwu. He attended Federal Government College Daura before studying law at University of Calabar.
Before establishing himself as an actor, he gained national recognition in 2010 when he emerged first runner-up in the Mr Nigeria 2010 competition, a breakthrough that launched his modelling career.
Ekubo made his acting debut in 2003 and rose to wider fame with his role in Weekend Getaway. Over the years, he built an impressive filmography, starring in productions such as The Bling Lagosians, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, A Sunday Affair, Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story and The Blood Covenant.
On television, he was also known for his appearances in Tinsel, AY’s Crib and Married to the Game, where he became known for his polished screen presence and versatility.
Beyond acting, Ekubo worked as a producer, host, motivational speaker and philanthropist. He was widely admired for his involvement in youth empowerment and humanitarian initiatives.
In 2020, he was listed among the Most Influential People of African Descent under 40, a recognition of his contributions to entertainment and social development.
His passing marks another painful loss for Nollywood, which in recent years has also mourned figures such as Junior Pope Odonwodo, John Okafor, Amaechi Muonagor, Sisi Quadri and Onyeka Onwenu.
For many fans, Alex Ekubo will be remembered not only as a screen star but as one of the faces that helped shape a modern, globally visible Nollywood. His death leaves a notable gap in the industry, where he was respected for both his talent and his public persona.
