Tribute: Nigerian screen favourite Alexx Ekubo dies, aged 40, after two-decade career

Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke, the Nigerian actor whose charm and screen presence made him one of Nollywood’s most recognisable romantic comedy leads, has died aged 40 after a reported illness linked to kidney cancer, bringing an abrupt end to a two-decade career that moved between film, television and public life with unusual poise and visibility.

Born in Nigeria on 10 April 1986, Ekubo rose to prominence after finishing as first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest, a platform that helped launch him into modelling and acting roles across Nollywood’s expanding industry.

He made his film debut in Sinners in the House (2003), a minor role that would later be followed by appearances in Afamefuna, Power of 1, and a string of romantic comedies that established his screen persona.

Wider recognition came with Weekend Getaway, and later performances in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Bling Lagosians, Catch.er and Zero Hour, where his blend of humour and emotional restraint made him a familiar face to audiences across Nigeria and the diaspora.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Ekubo amassed over 100 film credits, working with leading directors and emerging as one of Nollywood’s most bankable romantic leads, frequently cast as the charismatic suitor or conflicted lover at the heart of contemporary urban storytelling.

Beyond the screen, he was a prominent public figure, known for his distinctive fashion sense and regular appearances on best-dressed lists across Africa, as well as his engagement in youth advocacy and philanthropic initiatives.

In 2010, he spoke openly about the demands of fame following his Mr Nigeria success, while continuing to build a career that balanced commercial appeal with an ambition to reach international audiences.

In 2020, he was named among the “Most Influential People of African Descent” under 40, recognition of his growing influence within African entertainment and cultural exchange networks.

His private life periodically attracted public attention, including a widely reported engagement that was later called off, and reflections on relationships that he often kept guarded from the media.

In the months before his death, concern grew among fans after a period of social media silence and a visibly altered public appearance in a circulating video that reignited speculation about his health.

His passing was confirmed on Tuesday by colleagues in the Nigerian film industry, including actors Funke Akindele, Bolanle Ninalowo and Godwin Nnadiekwe, who paid tribute on social media and described him as a “rare soul” and a close friend.

Ekubo is survived by his family, who have yet to issue a full public statement at the time of reporting, as the industry continues to absorb the loss of an actor whose work helped define a generation of Nollywood romantic cinema.

The actor’s career was frequently defined by a blend of charisma and restraint, qualities that allowed him to move easily between light-hearted romantic roles and more reflective performances that hinted at a wider dramatic range yet to be fully explored on screen.

Colleagues and collaborators often described him as disciplined on set and attentive to craft, with a professional reputation that saw him repeatedly cast alongside some of Nollywood’s most prominent stars during a period of rapid expansion in Nigeria’s film industry.

His absence from social media in late 2024 had already prompted concern among fans, who noted his previously active online presence and the sudden quiet that followed years of regular engagement with audiences.

When news of his death emerged, tributes poured in across Nigeria’s entertainment community, reflecting on both his on-screen appeal and his off-screen warmth, with many recalling shared moments on film sets and public events.

Social media platforms were quickly filled with messages of condolence, as fans revisited his film catalogue and celebrated a body of work that had helped shape contemporary Nollywood storytelling across multiple genres.

In addition to his acting achievements, Ekubo had increasingly positioned himself as a cultural ambassador for Nigerian entertainment, attending international festivals and engaging with diaspora audiences who saw in his work a bridge between local storytelling traditions and global film markets.

Though he maintained a relatively private personal life, Ekubo was occasionally candid about the pressures of fame, particularly the expectations placed on young actors navigating a rapidly evolving industry.

His death at 40 marks a premature end to a career that had continued to evolve within Nollywood’s changing landscape, leaving behind a legacy of romantic leading roles and a distinctive screen presence that resonated with audiences across generations in Nigeria and beyond, and prompting reflection on the pressures of fame and health in an industry where visibility often masks vulnerability as colleagues and fans continue to reflect on his contribution to Nigerian cinema and its global reach and enduring cultural impact shaped by his performances in Nollywood romantic comedies and contemporary drama