The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor, entertainer and Master of Ceremonies, Diewait Ikpechukwu, who reportedly passed away at the age of 71.

Ikpechukwu reportedly died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, following a prolonged illness, according to a report by The Eagle Online, which cited family sources.

His death marks another loss for the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly the movie community, where he spent more than 25 years building a career as an actor.

Before venturing fully into the entertainment industry, Ikpechukwu reportedly had a background in football and later worked as a business office manager in Nike, before establishing himself in Nollywood.

He became known for his appearances in several Nigerian films, including The Guilty (2006), Royal Palace (2005), Across the River (2006), Python King (2007), Omera (2019), Emecheta (2021), Nwando (2021) and Ìjé Love (2022).

His acting career also included appearances in other productions, such as The Living Deity, Blood Sister, Makeba and IWE.

Born on August 23, 1955, Ikpechukwu was also known as an entertainer and MC. Beyond acting, he reportedly owned a communications company and encouraged upcoming actors to remain committed to their craft, avoid desperation and guard against exploitation in the entertainment industry.

He was particularly remembered for advising young performers to approach every acting role with dedication and professionalism.

Although reports of his death have emerged, details surrounding the circumstances of his passing remain limited. Further information about his burial arrangements and official family statements had not been made available in the report as of publication.

His death represents another sad moment for Nollywood, as colleagues, fans and admirers reflect on the career and contributions of an actor who spent more than two decades entertaining audiences.