10 Things to Know About Late Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’

Veteran Yoruba Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, after battling cancer. His death has triggered an outpouring of tributes across Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Here are 10 things to know about the late actor:

1. His full name was Taiwo Hassan
   He was widely known by his stage name, Ogogo, and was a prominent actor, producer, director and screenwriter in the Yoruba film industry.
2. He was born in Ilaro, Ogun State
   Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State. He would have turned 67 in October 2026.
3. He had a twin brother
   Hassan came from a family with a history of twins. Reports indicate that his father and grandfather were also twins, while he himself had a twin brother.
4. He was trained as an automobile mechanic
   Before becoming a full-time entertainer, Ogogo trained in automobile engineering/mechanics at the Federal Technical College, Akoka, Lagos.
5. He worked for the Lagos State Water Corporation
   Hassan reportedly spent about 13 years working as a mechanic with the Lagos State Water Corporation before leaving the job in 1994 to pursue acting full-time.
6. His acting career began on stage
   His journey into entertainment dates back to the early 1980s, when he performed as an Ewi chanter in a stage production at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos. He later joined the Awo Fabunmi Theatre Company.
7. The name ‘Ogogo’ came from his stage performances
   His powerful voice and commanding performances as an Ewi chanter reportedly earned him the nickname “Ogogo,” which eventually became the name by which millions of Nigerians knew him.
8. He was part of the famous Odunfa Caucus
   Ogogo was associated with prominent Yoruba movie practitioners including Yinka Quadri, Abbey Lanre and Razak Ajao, who formed a group popularly known as the Odunfa Caucus.
9. He featured in numerous popular films
   His extensive filmography includes Owo Blow, Elewon, Omo Ghetto, Tenant of the House, Aníkúlápó, Bank Alert and Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre, among many others.
10. He died after battling cancer
    Reports published on August 23 confirmed that Ogogo died at 66 after battling stage-four cancer. This came days after his family had publicly disclosed his health condition and appealed for assistance. Earlier reports of his death on August 18 had been debunked by his family, making Sunday’s confirmation particularly significant.

Ogogo’s death marks the loss of one of the most recognisable figures in Yoruba Nollywood, whose career spanned decades and whose influence extended from theatre to contemporary Nigerian cinema.