Between July and September 2025, the Nigerian movie industry was shaken by multiple personal tragedies. In just three months, some of Nollywood’s biggest names faced heartbreaking losses, leaving the industry in a sombre mood.
From parents to children, and even siblings, the grief cut across generations of actors.
Peju Ogunmola mourned her only son
Veteran actress Peju Ogunmola endured the most painful experience any parent could face the loss of her only child, Ayomikun. Despite medical care, he passed away after a brief illness. The devastating news was first shared by her colleague Odunlade Adekola, who expressed his shock and sorrow in an emotional social media post.
Mercy Aigbe lost her mother
Popular actress Mercy Aigbe also suffered heartbreak when her mother died on September 24, 2025. The actress announced the news herself, posting a moving tribute online. Fans and colleagues flooded her page with condolence messages, showing solidarity in her moment of grief.
Odunlade Adekola said goodbye to his father
In July 2025, star actor Odunlade Adekola lost his father, Pastor N. A. Adekola, who passed away at the age of 84. The actor described the loss as deeply painful, sharing a heartfelt post with the caption “Rest on my daddy.” The news drew sympathy from across Nollywood and beyond.
Ibrahim Chatta lost his godson
Actor Ibrahim Chatta was hit by tragedy on September 6, 2025, when he announced the passing of his godson. In his tribute, he prayed for Allah’s comfort and described the boy as “Dear Godson, Champ,” a loss that left him visibly shaken.
Joke Jigan lost her sister
Actress Joke Jigan also joined the list of grieving stars after her sister, Lizzy, died on August 29, 2025. She shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram with a tearful farewell, writing that she might have to “log off social media” to process the pain.