Sommie, Allwell Ademola, Big Bolaji, 8 Other Celebrities Who Died in 2025

The Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly Nollywood, has been struck by a series of devastating losses/deaths in 2025, spanning film, music, comedy, and broadcasting.

From veteran actors to emerging broadcasters, these deaths have sparked national grief and raised urgent conversations about health, road safety, and security.

Fans, colleagues, and industry leaders have mourned the passing of notable figures whose talents and legacies shaped Nigeria’s creative landscape.

On Saturday, December 27, 2025, Nollywood actress and film producer Allwell Ademola, was reported to have passed away at the age of 49.

Allwell Ademola was a granddaughter of the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, the highly respected Nigerian lawyer and former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Here is a record of 11 prominent celebrities who died, leaving lasting impressions in 2025:

1. Asa Koko (Actor) – Passed away on January 30 after a prolonged illness of over two years. Filmmaker Kunle Afod announced his death on Instagram, honoring the actor’s contributions to Yoruba cinema.

2. Patience “Pat” Ugwu aka “Sugar Girl” (Actress) – Died on February 5 at 35. Known for films like Lack of Money (2018) and Port-Harcourt Lady (2019), Ugwu was also a fitness coach and beauty entrepreneur.

3. Columbus Irosanga (Veteran Actor) – Famous for portraying native doctors and serving as a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt’s Theatre Arts Department, he passed away on February 6.

4. Anike Agbaje-Williams (Broadcasting Pioneer) – Died peacefully on February 26 in Ibadan at 88. She made history as the first face and voice on African television and radio in 1959.

5. Nkechi Nweje (Actress) – Succumbed on March 21 following complications from surgery.

6. Bolaji Olanrewaju aka “Big Bolaji” (Gospel Singer and Pastor) – Passed away at 50 on April 19 after a brief illness.

7. Kayode Peters (Filmmaker and Producer) – Died on June 28 in Toronto, Canada, after a long illness.

8. Olusegun Akinremi aka Chief Kanran (Actor) – Passed on August 15. Celebrated for his humor and commanding presence, he left a decades-long legacy on stage and screen.

9. Adetola Samad aka “Sanku” (Comedian) – Died on September 1 in a car accident in Oyo State.

10.Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu aka “Sommie” (Arise TV Anchor) – The 29-year-old tragically died on September 29 during an armed robbery at her Abuja home. Reports indicate she fell from her third-floor apartment while attempting to escape intruders.

11. Allwell Ademola (Actress and Producer) – Died on December 27 at 49 from a heart attack. Hours earlier, Allwell Ademola had shared a video on Instagram praying for the year’s end, a post that has since resonated deeply with fans and colleagues.

These losses have prompted reflection on the fragility of life in the public eye and intensified calls for better support systems for those in the entertainment industry. Tributes have flooded social media, with peers expressing shock, sorrow, and a commitment to preserving the memories of these remarkable talents.