Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has died at the age of 40 after what his family described as a battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer. The Nigerian film star passed away at Evercare Hospital in Lagos on May 11, 2026, according to statements cited by the BBC and The Guardian Nigeria on May 12, 2026.
Alexx Ekubo was widely recognized for his performances in films such as Weekend Getaway, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and The Bling Lagosians, as well as his appearance in Yemi Alade’s 2013 music video “Johnny.”
Tributes quickly poured in across Nigeria’s entertainment industry following news of his death. Actress Funke Akindele, who worked with him on Omo Ghetto: The Saga, wrote on social media: “You kept telling me you are fine.”
His death has prompted renewed attention on his career, humanitarian work and rise to fame in Nollywood.
Alexx Ekubo rose from modeling contests to Nollywood stardom
Born Alexx Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraeke on April 10, 1986, in Rivers State, Nigeria, Ekubo initially gained public attention after finishing as the first runner-up in the 2010 Mr Nigeria competition, according to The Guardian Nigeria. Before pursuing acting full-time, he studied law at the University of Calabar.
The BBC reported that Ekubo made his acting debut in the 2005 production Sinners in the House. However, his breakthrough came years later with the 2012 romantic drama Weekend Getaway, where he played Andre Dikeh. The role earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards and significantly raised his profile in the industry.
Over the following decade, Alexx Ekubo became one of Nollywood’s most recognizable actors, appearing in romantic comedies, television productions, and drama films. According to The Guardian Nigeria, his film credits included Lagos Cougars, The First Lady, Diary of a Lagos Girl, Power of 1, A Sunday Affair, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
He was also known internationally for appearing in singer Yemi Alade’s widely viewed “Johnny” music video in 2013.
Industry colleagues frequently described him as calm, charismatic, and hardworking. Filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, who reportedly gave Alexx Ekubo his first movie role, called his death “devastating and unbelievable,” while actor Godwin Nnadiekwe described him as “a rare soul,” according to the BBC.
His humanitarian work and awards extended beyond acting
Alexx Ekubo was also recognized for humanitarian and social development work. According to the BBC, he received several honors throughout his career, including Best Actor of the Year at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2016 and Best Lead Actor in 2022.
Nigeria’s First Lady honored him with a Special Recognition Award in 2018 for his contributions to the entertainment industry. In 2020, he was inducted into the United Nations-backed Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40 list for his work in entertainment and social development.
Alexx Ekubo also received an honorary doctorate in arts and culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion in Benin in 2021. At the time, he said the recognition came during “quite a time” in his life, according to the BBC. His charity work also earned him the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year in 2021.
In recent years, fans had expressed concern after Alexx Ekubo stepped away from social media and reduced his public appearances. The BBC noted that his final social media post appeared in December 2024. His family later confirmed that he had been privately battling advanced metastatic kidney cancer before his death.
The family, in a statement shared on his Instagram page and cited by The Guardian Nigeria, said he endured his illness with “remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope.” Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced at a later date.
Edited by Devangee Halder