The Nollywood film industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of popular Yoruba actress Temitope Osoba at the age of 40.
Colleague Alesh Sanni confirmed the news on Wednesday in an emotional Instagram post, revealing he had been unable to sleep since learning of her passing. Expressing shock, Sanni paid tribute to her memory:
“Rest in peace my dearest sister, Temitope Osoba. We had amazing time and good memories together, till we meet again. I really dunno what to say mehn, gosh.”
Another fellow actor, Adeyemo Seilat, also expressed her grief on social media, writing:
“Sigh! I hate to hear about the death of young people. Life is vanity! Rest in peace Tope Osoba. May you find eternal rest.”
The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed, and further details were still awaited as of press time.
Osoba’s passing comes roughly two years after she publicly revealed her battle with cancer and appealed for financial assistance to cover her medical treatment.
Following her successful treatment, the screen star, widely celebrated for her performances in Yoruba-language Nollywood films, announced her return to acting on 4 August 2025. In a heartfelt statement released at the time, she described her ordeal as a major turning point that reshaped her life and career:
“Dear beloved fans, supporters, and loved ones, I’m Temitope Osoba, and after my cancer experience, I’m excited to announce my reintroduction. This journey has been a turning point, leading to my rebranding, reshaping, and rebuilding.”
She explained that her new chapter was centered on personal healing, growth, and empowerment, while committing to use her public platform to raise awareness about cancer. Expressing gratitude to her management team for their support during her illness, Osoba had declared her readiness to resume her career through brand endorsements, acting roles, and event collaborations.