Nigerian actor and film star Alexx Ekubo has died at the age of 40 following a battle with cancer, according to a statement released by his family.
The actor reportedly passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Lagos due to complications arising from advanced metastatic kidney cancer. His family described his passing as the end of a “brief but courageous battle.”
In a statement shared on his Instagram page, the family said Ekubo faced his illness with strength, faith and hope throughout his final days.
“Throughout this difficult journey, he bore his pain with remarkable strength, unwavering faith, and enduring hope,” the statement read.
Ekubo was widely recognised for his roles in the movie Weekend Getaway and in the music video for Johnny by Yemi Alade in 2013. Over the years, he earned numerous awards and gained admiration for both his acting career and humanitarian work.
His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, popularly known as Nollywood.
Actress and producer Funke Akindele, who starred alongside him in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, expressed grief over his passing on social media.
“I tried to reach out. To see you one more time but guess you knew best,” she wrote. “You kept telling me you are fine.”
Actor Godwin Nnadiekwe also described the news as heartbreaking, while filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, who reportedly gave Ekubo his first movie role, called the actor’s death “devastating and unbelievable.”
Born on April 10, 1986, in Rivers State, Nigeria, Ekubo studied law at the University of Calabar before rising to fame after competing in the Mr Nigeria contest in 2010.
He made his acting debut in the 2005 production Sinners in the House and went on to become one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces.
In 2013, he won Best Supporting Actor at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his role in Weekend Getaway. Throughout his career, he received several honours, including Best Actor awards and special recognition for contributions to entertainment and social development.
In 2020, he was inducted into the Most Influential People of African Descent under-40 list for his impact in entertainment and humanitarian service.
Ekubo was also known for his charity and advocacy work, earning recognition from several organisations for his social contributions.
In 2021, he made headlines after his former fiancée, Fancy Acholonu, called off their engagement just months before their planned wedding.
