Nollywood loses another actress to cancer

Nollywood has again been thrown into mourning following the death of actress, Atinuke Kareem, after a battle with breast cancer.

The President of the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Owolabi Ajasa, announced her death in a statement shared on Instagram on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

In the statement, Ajasa expressed appreciation to individuals who supported Atinuke during her illness through financial assistance, prayers and other forms of help.

Despite efforts to support her treatment and recovery, the actress eventually died from the disease.

Atinuke's death comes weeks after the Nigerian film industry mourned actress Temitope Osoba, who also battled breast cancer. Osoba, 40, had publicly spoken about her cancer journey in 2024, underwent surgery and later returned to acting before her death in August 2026.

The industry also lost actor Alexx Ekubo in May 2026 at the age of 40 after complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer. His family said he had battled the illness privately.

The successive deaths have renewed concerns about the impact of cancer on members of Nigeria's entertainment industry, with colleagues often relying on public appeals and fundraising to assist practitioners facing serious illnesses.

Tributes have since been paid to Atinuke Kareem as colleagues, friends and loved ones remember her life, career and the strength she showed during her illness.