Nollywood Star Taiwo Hassan 'Ogogo' Dies at 66

Taiwo Hassan, a veteran Nollywood actor popularly known as Ogogo, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66. In a 2024 interview with City People, he explained that his stage name derived from his family's Oriki, a traditional Yoruba praise name.

Hassan began his acting career in 1981, initially portraying an Akede Oba, a praise chanter. His talent in reciting Oriki earned him the nickname “Olohun Iyo,” which later evolved into “Ogogo” as his colleagues embraced the name.

He noted that he often praised himself and others during performances, incorporating lines from his family Oriki. Hassan's career spanned over four decades, during which he served as an actor, producer, director, and screenwriter.

He was also a co-founder of the Odunfa Caucus, a theatre group that nurtured many Yoruba actors. He was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday following Islamic rites, after battling stage-four cancer.