10 things to know about late Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’

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Taiwo Hassan

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Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at the age of 66 after battling cancer.

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Hassan’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during a live video on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Overcome with emotion, Kira repeatedly said, “My daddy is dead.”

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The confirmation came five days after the family dismissed an earlier report of his death as false.

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As tributes pour in for the veteran actor, here are 10 things to know about the life and career of Taiwo Hassan, who became one of the recognisable faces of Yoruba cinema.

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1. He was born in Ogun State

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Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State.

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He spent his early years in the town before moving to Lagos, where he continued his education, learnt a trade and eventually began building a career in acting.

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2. ‘Ogogo’ became bigger than his real name

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Although his birth name was Taiwo Hassan, millions of Nigerians came to know him simply as Ogogo.

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The nickname became inseparable from his screen identity, particularly among lovers of Yoruba-language films.

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For generations of viewers, Ogogo became associated with family dramas, traditional stories, moral conflicts and characters rooted in Yoruba culture.

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3. He was an automobile mechanic before becoming a full-time actor

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Hassan’s journey to Nollywood was far removed from the conventional path of a movie star.

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Before dedicating himself fully to acting, he trained and worked as an automobile mechanic.

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He later worked with the Lagos State Water Corporation for about 13 years, combining his government job with his growing passion for acting.

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4. He started acting in 1981

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Ogogo began his acting career in 1981 while he was still working as a mechanic.

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He learnt through practical theatre experience and gradually established himself within the emerging Yoruba theatre and film scene.

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His career would eventually span more than four decades, making him one of the longest-serving actors of his generation.

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5. He quit his government job to pursue acting

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In 1994, Hassan resigned from his job with the Lagos State Water Corporation to concentrate fully on his acting career.

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His decision came at a pivotal period for Nigeria’s entertainment industry, when the home-video era was beginning to transform the country’s film business.

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What started as a passion alongside his day job eventually became his life’s profession.

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6. He was an actor, producer, director and screenwriter

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Ogogo was not limited to acting.

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Over the course of his career, he worked across different areas of filmmaking, including producing, directing and screenwriting.

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His contributions extended beyond performing on screen, particularly through stories that drew from Yoruba culture, family life, tradition, leadership and social responsibility.

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7. He featured in several notable films

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Throughout his career, Ogogo appeared in numerous Yoruba and English-language productions.

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Among the films associated with him are Owo Blow, Agbelebu, Omo Ghetto, Omin, Tenant of the House, Bank Alert and Aníkúlápó.

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In Aníkúlápó, he played Alaafin Ademuyiwa alongside stars including Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, Adebayo Salami and Yinka Quadri.

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8. ‘Aníkúlápó’ introduced him to a younger generation

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While Ogogo had already enjoyed decades of success, his appearance in Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó helped expose his work to a younger and wider audience.

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The 2022 Netflix production became one of the most talked-about Nigerian films of its time.

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His performance earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, while the film itself received 16 nominations.

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9. He came from a family with a history of twins

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Hassan once revealed that his mother gave birth to four sets of twins and that he was the only surviving child.

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The actor also spoke openly about fatherhood and parental responsibility, maintaining that men should not permanently escape their responsibilities to their children.

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10. His final days drew widespread concern

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In the days leading up to his death, Ogogo’s daughters, Kira and Haleemah, revealed that their father was battling stage-four cancer.

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The sisters appealed to hospitals, medical specialists and others with knowledge of possible treatment options to assist the family.

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They clarified that they were not asking for financial donations but were seeking medical assistance for their father.

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As concern over his condition grew, several Nollywood actors also held a special prayer session for the veteran.

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Taiwo Hassan died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than 40 years and left a lasting mark on Yoruba cinema.

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