Nigeria’s theatre and film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor, dramatist and scholar, Kola Oyewo, who passed away at the age of 80 after a battle with enlarged prostate.
Oyewo’s death was announced on Friday via an Instagram post by fellow actor Kunle Afod, who described him as a “true legend” whose contributions to stage and screen would endure for generations.
“Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow,” Afod wrote. “His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten.”
The post has since triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, students and fans across Nigeria’s creative industry, many of whom described his passing as the end of an era in Yoruba theatre and Nollywood storytelling.
Until his death, Oyewo had been open about his health challenges. In April, he revealed that he was battling prostate enlargement, a condition that had slowed down his movement and limited the type of roles he could accept.
“Before now, I could be here and there and play any role, but the sickness laid me back,” he had said, adding that while his condition had affected his career pace, he remained grateful to God for survival.
Medical experts describe enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as a common age-related condition in men that affects urinary flow but is not cancerous.
Born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group, marking the beginning of a journey that would span over six decades.
He rose to prominence for his iconic portrayal of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s celebrated play The Gods Are Not to Blame, a performance widely regarded as one of the defining interpretations in African theatre history.
Over the years, he featured in several landmark productions including Saworoide, Sango, Koseegbe, Super Story, and numerous Yoruba-language films that helped shape the evolution of Nigeria’s indigenous film industry.
Beyond the stage and screen, Oyewo distinguished himself as an academic and mentor. He earned a doctorate in Drama from the University of Ibadan and taught at institutions including Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University and Elizade University.
Through decades of teaching and mentorship, he trained and inspired generations of actors, playwrights and theatre scholars, cementing his legacy as both a cultural icon and an intellectual pillar of Nigerian performing arts.
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