Alexx Ekubo, Sound Sultan, Sunny Okosun… celebrities who died of cancer

Between 2008 and 2026, a silent, merciless roll call swept through Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Celebrities took their final bows, not on stage or screen, but in hospital wards, silenced by cancer, a disease that refuses to distinguish between the famous and the forgotten.

From the aggressive march of colon and kidney cancers to the rare, elusive angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, from the too-often-overlooked endometrial and cervical malignancies to the relentless grip of advanced metastatic kidney disease, each name lost marks a melody cut short, a script never finished, a solo that will never be sung again.

In this tribute, TheCable Lifestyle remembers Nigerian celebrities who died of cancer.

Sunny Okosun (2008) – colon cancer

Born in Edo state, Sunny Okosun mesmerised highlife lovers with his musical dexterity throughout the 1970s and mid-1980s. Though he dabbled in reggae, Afro-funk, and gospel, Okosun was best known as the leader of the Ozzidi band, a group named after the Ijaye River god.

Raised by his grandmother in the Irrua area of Edo, he later moved with his parents to Enugu, where he spent his early school years. He eventually relocated to Lagos to chase his entertainment dreams.

After a triumphant career, Okosun died aged 61 on May 26, 2008, at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., following a battle with colon cancer. He was buried at his residence on Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos.

Karibi Fubara (2021) — kidney cancer

Nicknamed ‘Black,’ Fubara was one of Nigeria’s finest actors. He appeared in films and shows such as ‘God Calling’, ‘The Smart Money Woman’ series, ‘We Speak Dance’, ‘Ratnik’, and ‘Quam’s Money’.

The talented filmmaker passed away on December 15, 2021, at the age of 46, succumbing to kidney cancer. He was married to Yolanda Okereke.

Sound Sultan (2021) — blood cancer

Soulful singer Sound Sultan died on July 11, 2021, aged 44, in the United States after a long, gruelling battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) — a rare, aggressive blood cancer that attacks white blood cells.

Born Olanrewaju Fasasi, his music career exploded in the 1990s, from his days at Kennis Music to the creation of the iconic ‘Naija Ninja’ brand.

Over his lifetime, Sultan released eight albums and won multiple awards, including the Headies in 2012.

Ify Onwuemene (2021) — endometrial cancer

In 2020, at the height of her illness, a desperate public plea for financial support shocked movie lovers. Ace Nigerian actress Ify Onwuemene eventually passed away in May 2021.

Renowned for her role in the TV series ‘Everyday People’, she had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer, a cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the uterus, specifically in the endometrium, the uterine lining.

Aduke Gold (2024) — cervical cancer

Nigerian gospel singer Aduke Gold died of cervical cancer in August 2024. Her family revealed that the beloved worship singer had been admitted to the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, where she eventually passed on.

Aduke Gold rose to fame after releasing ‘Nitori Ogo’ (“Because of Glory”) in 2021. The song earned her massive streams and widespread popularity, especially on social media.

Alexx Ekubo (2026) — kidney cancer

The family of Alexx Ekubo revealed that the actor died after battling stage 4 kidney cancer. Until his passing on May 11, Ekubo had kept his private life, especially his health and relationships, carefully guarded.

The 40-year-old succumbed to metastatic kidney cancer, also known as stage 4 kidney cancer. This occurs when cancerous cells spread from the kidney to distant parts of the body, most commonly the lungs, bones, liver, or brain.

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