Ferdinand Ekechukwu
With reels of his memorable scenes in films still circulating online, Nigerians have continued to celebrate veteran actor, Taiwo Hassan, who died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.
His family had disclosed his health condition days before his demise and appealed for medical options, including traditional treatment, following an alleged refusal by a hospital to treat him.
Worried by his health condition, a large number of his colleagues had intervened through prayers as they gathered in Lagos.
The colleagues had days earlier appealed to people who had offered to treat Ògògó through traditional and other means not to take offence over their inability to move him from hospital despite receiving hundreds of offers of medical assistance.
One of its most cherished legends, Ògògó, an actor whose presence towered above others helped put smiles on faces of millions through the screen.
According to the actors, Ògògó required specialised medical care, and they urged anyone with information about a qualified specialist or suitable healthcare facility to contact his family. His daughters also expressed fears about losing their father, saying they were desperate to secure the appropriate treatment for him as quickly as possible. His friend Yinka Quadri appeared teary in a video that made rounds.
Quadri would later in a post recount the last moments he shared with his longtime friend and colleague. In his tribute shared on Instagram, Quadri thanked God for the outcome of Ogogo’s illness, noting that his friend did not suffer for too long before he found rest. He then recalled his final visit to Ogogo at the hospital. “You were lying in your sickbed, and when I saw you, I could not hold back my tears.”
The sad news of his passing further triggered deeply emotional response across Nollywood community at home and in the diaspora, with heartfelt messages from the federal state governments, and industry leaders paying tributes. Notably he was lauded for his distinctive acting style, screen presence, and dedication, described not merely an accomplished actor with remarkable talent, discipline.
Highlighting his craft entertained generations of Nigerians while helping to promote Yoruba culture and Nigeria’s broader cultural heritage, describing his death as a major loss to Nigeria’s creative industry. Fans, colleagues, and industry leaders took to social media to celebrate a titan who, among others, shaped the golden era of home videos.
Remembering his voice, timeless grace, and the indelible legacy he left behind, Hassan, fondly called Ògògó, was one of the most iconic Nollywood stars of the home video from the 90s to the recent streaming era. For over four decades, the Ilaro-born actor built a reputation as one of the most respected figures in Yoruba cinema.
He was also one of the co-founders of the Odunfa Caucus, a prominent theatre group that produced several notable Yoruba actors. He appeared in numerous films and became known for his commanding screen presence, distinctive voice, and memorable interpretation of characters. His screen presence inspired music legends, like Olamide’s 2016 song Owo Blow and Burna Boy’s Last Last.
Now a pop culture phrase used by Nigerians to describe heartbreak before Burna Boy popularised the metaphor in his hit song ‘Last Last’, the line from Ògògós film has remained part of Nigerian pop culture, drawing renewed attention following the actor’s death. The famous movie quote specifically in Burna Boy’s song has given the actor’s old scene another layer of cultural relevance.
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