By Akinwale Kasali
The death of the very handsome Nollywood Actor, Alexx Ekubo has thrown the Entertainment Industry into deep mourning.
Families, colleagues and fans, who are yet to come to terms with his sudden demise are, at once, heartbroken, shattered and devastated.
The 40-year old thespian, unknown to many had been battling with liver Cancer.
He endured and carried his cross with uncommon grace which added to the
shock of many of his colleagues who are falling over themselves to pay him tribute.
Ekubo was the first runner-up in the 2010 Mr. Nigeria Contest. He then rose to prominence in the Nollywood blockbuster, Weekend Getaway.
Veteran Nollywood Actor, Kate Henshaw, expressed shock and regret over Ekubo’s passing and revealed that she had been trying to reach him without realising the severity of his condition.
Taking to her X handle, Henshaw initially reacted to the breaking news with a post that captured her disbelief.
“I just heard a terrible news! Father Lord plsssss ,” she wrote.
She said she was kept in the dark over his illness, explaining that she had been sending him messages that went unacknowledged.
“I had no idea. Been sending chats no response…I just decided to give him some breathing space not knowing,” she responded.
An X user, the_beardedsina, commented on the devastating impact of the disease.
“Cancer has really taken so many lives. One day, we will have a total cure. Rest in peace, Alexx Ekubo.”
“I hope it comes really quick! It is needed urgently,” Henshaw responded.
Funke Akindele, Actress, filmmaker and Queen of Movie Box Office, shared a post on her Instagram story, revealing her own attempts to see the actor before he passed.
“Rest in peace, Alex. I tried to reach out to see you one more time, but I guess you knew best. May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex,” she wrote.
Actor Bolanle Ninalowo also reacted. “Rest on, Alex. May God heal your family and us all.”
Singer Peter Okoye simply posted, “RIP.”
Veteran actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo wrote, “Life is not only fickle, it can also feel unreal. Even as I type this, I still struggle to fully process it, and it deeply saddens me to hear this news.
“Rest in peace to a truly great soul. You came, you saw, and you conquered. We are proud of the life you lived, the journey you embraced, and the legacy you leave behind.
Sleep well, our dear Alex.”
Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore described the late actor as a rare talent.
“My profound condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo, who I understand passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer,” Sowore wrote on X.
“I never met him personally, but I still cannot forget a movie of his I watched on an Emirates flight from New York to Dubai en route to Nairobi. He was a rare talent whose presence lit up the screen effortlessly. May he rest in power.”
Broadcaster Oseni Rufai wrote briefly, “Rest well Alex.”
Actor Godwin Nnadiekwe who broke the news described his passing as heartbreaking.
“I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo.
“To think you already prepared your will — it’s heartbreaking. I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also expressed condolences, saying Ekubo’s contributions to the entertainment industry would not be forgotten.
“Your contributions to the entertainment industry will not be forgotten in a hurry. You made significant strides and your memory will continue to inspire younger actors.”
According to Family sources, the actor passed away on
Monday, May 11, 2026, after months of illness.
The prolonged absence of Ekubo from the public eye had raised concerns among fans and colleagues, as he stayed away from social media and public events for an extended period.
His last post on Instagram was made in December, 2024, shortly after reports emerged that his engagement to US-based model Fancy Acholonu had been called off.
The late Ekubo was born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but hails from Arochukwu in Abia State.
He attended Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State, for his secondary education, and went ahead to study Law at the University of Calabar before obtaining a degree in Mass Communication.
The late Actor began acting professionally in the early 2010s and quickly established himself as one of Nollywood’s leading actors.
Beyond entertainment, Ekubo is actively involved in charity and humanitarian initiatives. In 2020, he was inducted into the MIPAD/United Nations Most Influential People of African Descent Top 100 Under 40 Hall of Fame. He also received a Certificate of Excellence from Sapio Club SDG for his contributions to African entertainment and humanitarian services.
In 2021, he received the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year for his charity efforts.
The same year, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Arts and Culture by Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion University, Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Ekubo largely kept his private life away from public scrutiny, although he remained one of the most visible celebrities in Nigeria’s entertainment industry through his social engagements, endorsements and philanthropic activities.
He will be missed for his good interpretation of roles and for his modest way of life.
