Francis Duru: Veteran Nollywood Actor Dies, Actors Guild of Nigeria President Confirms Death

Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, announced Francis Duru's death on Instagram on Thursday, October 22, 2026Duru was widely celebrated as one of Nollywood's most respected veteran actors, known for his memorable screen performancesFans and colleagues have flooded social media with tributes following the announcement of his untimely passingGhana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died, with the news confirmed by one of Nigeria's most senior figures in the film industry.

Francis Duru: Veteran Nollywood Actor Dies, Actors Guild of Nigeria President Confirms Death Source: FacebookAlhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, broke the news on his personal Instagram page on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Sharing a photo of the late Francis Duru, his post read:

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The late actor's family also confirmed the news of his demise in a short statement on his official Instagram.

According to them, Duru passed away following a battle with a brief illness.

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His demise comes months after he dismissed rumours, claiming he was battling a terminal illness following the circulation of a viral video that sparked concern from fans and colleagues in June 2026.

The late actor had also previously debunked false reports of his death in recent years.

The Instagram post of Francis Duru's family confirming his death is below:

Duru built a celebrated career in the Nigerian film industry, earning a reputation as one of the more versatile and dependable actors of his generation.

Known for his commanding on-screen presence, he featured in numerous productions that cemented his status as a Nollywood staple.

According to MyNigeria reports, Duru was among the actors who helped define an era of Nigerian cinema that captivated audiences both at home and across the continent.

His passing adds to a wave of grief the Nigerian entertainment industry has experienced with the loss of several beloved performers in recent years.

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The Instagram post announcing Francis Duru's death is below:

Fans and fellow creatives wasted no time pouring out their condolences across social media after the news broke.

YEN.com.gh compiled some reactions from social media users below:

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Kofi Owusu (Entertainment Editor) Kofi Owusu is the Head of the Entertainment Desk at YEN.com.gh. He graduated from the African University College of Communication (AUCC) in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. He has over 5 years of experience as an entertainment journalist. He joined YEN.com.gh in 2024. He previously worked as a freelance writer for local and foreign outlets. He won the award for Best Entertainment Editor of the Year at YEN.com.gh in 2025. He has participated in several trainings, including Facebook and Google compliance workshops. You can contact him via email: [email protected]