Alexx Ekubo Dead at 40: Nollywood Loses a Rare One to Liver Cancer
By: EZURUMEM OBINNA
Nollywood is grieving. Hard. Alexx Ekubo died on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after a secret battle with stage 4 liver cancer. He was 40. Talent manager Sam Olatunji broke the news on Facebook, and within hours the industry had come to a full stop.
The Silence That Said Everything
Alexx vanished from social media after December 30, 2024. No posts, no appearances Nothing then fans respected it . Stating the actor had simply stepped away because the internet had grown “too toxic.” People accepted that. Then Tuesday happened.
His managements later revealed the real story on Instagram that Alexx had been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer in 2024, underwent a liver transplant, briefly returned to work, then deteriorated when the liver failed again. He fought quietly. Almost nobody knew.

ALEXX EKUBO
The Man Behind the Roles
Born on April 10, 1986, Alexx rose from first runner-up at the 2010 Mr. Nigeria contest to one of Nollywood’s most bankable actors. Films like Weekend Getaway, The Bling Lagosians, and A Sunday Affair made him a household name across Africa. In 2020, the United Nations named him among the Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40. He had range, charm, and by all accounts was just as warm offscreen.
Tears Across the Industry
The tributes came fast. Funke Akindele wrote on Instagram: “This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul.” Fans across Nigeria and the diaspora flooded every platform with memories and film clips of an actor they grew up watching. He never married. He knew what was coming and he kept it close to his chest until the very end. Nollywood will feel that gap for years.
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