Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing him as a proud voice of Yoruba storytelling and a guardian of Nigerian cultural identity.
Musawa's tribute was contained in a statement released in the early hours of Monday, August 25, 2026, by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Nneka Anibeze. The statement came a day after Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, according to Punch reports.
Minister's Tribute to Ogogo
In her statement, Musawa described Ogogo as far more than a screen personality. "Ogogo was not just a star on our screens. He was a custodian of our culture, a proud voice of Yoruba storytelling, and a man who dedicated his life to building the Nigerian creative industry," she said.
"For many years, he made us laugh, made us think, and made us proud of who we are as Nigerians," the minister added. She noted that his contribution stretched well beyond entertainment, as his work carried Yoruba culture and cinema to millions of people inside Nigeria and across its borders.
"His works celebrated our heritage and projected the richness of our traditions to the world. The industry has lost a giant, but his legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched and the films he left behind," Musawa stated.
She extended condolences to Hassan's family, his Nollywood colleagues, his fans, and the people of Ogun State on behalf of the ministry and the wider arts and culture community.
Career Rooted in Yoruba Storytelling
Ogogo, born in Ilaro, Ogun State, built a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter. He appeared in popular Yoruba productions including Eegun Mogaji and Igbekun, and was widely recognised for a screen presence that drew heavily on Yoruba cultural traditions.
His family disclosed before his death that doctors had ruled out further chemotherapy due to how advanced the condition had become, and his daughters had publicly appealed for medical assistance as they explored treatment options. The actor had been battling stage-four cancer in his final weeks.
His work helped shape the evolution of Yoruba cinema from early home-video productions through to the modern Nigerian film industry, and he remained one of its most prominent figures until his death.
Widespread Mourning
Ogogo's passing has prompted widespread mourning across the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly among practitioners and audiences of Yoruba-language cinema. The minister's tribute joins a wave of condolences from colleagues and fans.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that actor Ogogo's daughter, Kira Taiwo, got Nigerians talking over a post she made online. The Yoruba film star spotted Kira's post on her Instagram page and reacted to it with surprise. Nigerians took to social media to react, as many laughed at the film star, saying he had finally eaten breakfast.
