Death is unavoidable and frequently causes great suffering. This was the case with the passing of a few well-known figures and celebrities in Nigeria during the year. The top 10 well-known Nigerian celebrities who passed away in 2022 are listed here.
Kamal Adebayo
On December 27, 2022, Kamal Adebayo, a well-known Yoruba actor and the father of the hit skit creator Bae U Barbie, passed away. A few months after Isbae U gave him N1 million in cash as a birthday surprise, Sir Kay, as he was affectionately known, passed away. On December 27, his coworker Yomi Fabiyi announced his passing and expressed sorrow over the unexpectedly tragic news.
Although the exact cause of his death is still unknown, he is thought to have been battling a condition for some time.
Sammie Okposo
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On Friday, November 26, 2022, early hours in Abuja, Okposo passed away. Sammie Okposo was laid to rest in a private cemetery in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, December 16.
The Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards organizers have renamed the best soundtrack in the movie category in honor of the late singer who, while still alive, elevated the gospel to new heights. He passed away when he was 51 years old.
Rico Swavey
Former Big Brother Naija housemate Patrick Adebowale Fakoya, also known as Rico Swavey, passed away on October 13 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. The 29-year-old allegedly spent days in a coma before passing away.
At Retro Citi in Victoria Island, Lagos, a night of remembrance and a candlelight walk were held from October 19–22. Prior to his burial at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Lagos, a private service was held at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square.
Biyi Bandele
Half of the Yellow Sun and the highly anticipated “Elesin Oba” movie from 2022 EbonyLife director Biyi Bandele passed away on August 7 of that year. On Monday, August 8, 2022, his daughter Temi Bandele posted on Facebook to confirm his unexpected demise.
The news of Bandele’s passing broke just one month before the historical TIFF premiere of Netflix and EbonyLife Film’s “Elesin Oba,” which he both directed and adapted from Wole Soyinka’s “Death and the King’s Horseman.”
He was buried in Lagos on Friday, September 23, 2022, in a private ceremony that was attended by friends and business associates. He passed away when he was 54 years old.
Sola Onayiga
The news of Sola Onayiga’s passing came as a double blow to everyone a day after Ada Ameh’s death shocked the film industry and social media. On Monday, July 18, 2022, at the age of 63, the seasoned actor who originated the part of Ireti in Amaka Igwe’s well-known soap opera, Fuji House of Commotion, passed away.
Husseini Shaibu, a well-known film critic and expert, shared the news of her passing on his Twitter page. For her comedic work in the venerable TV drama series Checkmate, Onayiga was well-known.
Ada Ameh
Ameh passed away on July 17, 2022, after collapsing at a gathering. She reportedly received emergency medical attention and was pronounced dead at the NNPC hospital in Warri, Delta State. The passing of Ameh was confirmed by Emeka Rollas, President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. The actress revealed that she was having mental health issues a few weeks before her untimely death.
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Freedom Park in Lagos, the cast of “The Johnsons” hosted a night of tribute in her honor as the series’ leading lady. On Friday, August 26, she was laid to rest at her family’s plot in Otukpo, Benue State.
Ada rose to fame after playing Anita in the 1996 film “Domitilla,” and more recently, she has been praised for her comedic roles, particularly in the series “The Johnsons.” Ada passed away at 48 years old. Her passing occurred two years after her daughter’s passing.
Osinachi Nwachukwu
Osinachi Nwachukwu, a gospel singer and worshipper, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, in an Abuja hospital. Initial reports stated that she passed away from a terminal illness, but further investigation connected her passing to abuse she received at the hands of her husband.
On Saturday, June 25, 2022, she was laid to rest in her native Amakpoke Umuaku community in Abia State. Osinachi left behind a husband and four children when she passed away at the age of 42.
Kunle Adetokunbo (Dejo Tunfulu)
On April 1, 2022, Adetokunbo passed away. He was a popular Yoruba film comic actor known for his hilarious comedic cliches and distinctive comedic style. The 53-year-old man had reportedly struggled with chronic kidney disease for a number of years before going into critical condition on March 31.
The late actor gained notoriety during his lifetime for portraying a clown in films, which made his fans happy and amused all over the nation and abroad. At the age of 49, he passed away.
Lari Williams
On February 27, 2022, Williams passed away following a brief illness. The AGN and the local Artistes Village community honored the multi-talented artist’s life and times on Friday, April 15, 2022. On Thursday, April 14, 2022, he was laid to rest in his hometown of Yala Nkum in Cross River State’s Ikom Local Government Area. The late actor had a more than 50-year career and served as the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria’s (AGN) first president. Age-wise, he was 81.
Ezekiel Atang
Ezekiel Atang, a well-known pastor, was one of the well-known figures who passed away this year. Three weeks before turning 50, the clergyman and family life coach from Akwa Ibom passed away on February 21, 2022. In his final sermon, he mentioned a number of factors that kept him from attending the church service, including a severe chest pain.
Until his death, he was the founder and Senior Pastor of God’s House Of Refuge in Nigeria
Honourable Mentions
Alaafin of Oyo: Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III
On April 22, 2022, Alaafin passed away. He served as the traditional ruler of the Yoruba town of Oyo and was the 45th monarch of the Oyo Empire. According to Premium Times, Alaafin passed away at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, in Ekiti State, as a result of complications brought on by prostate enlargement. Age-wise, he was 83. The Monarch had the longest reign of any Alaafin, ruling the Oyo Empire for 52 years.
Chinedu Nwadike
Chinedu Nwadike, a well-known figure in the South-East who is best known for the hit song “God of Vengeance,” passed away on March 27 in Abuja due to health issues.
According to reports, the gospel singer from Imo, Nigeria, who was 39 years old, had recovered from kidney disease and was due to receive additional medical care in India before he passed away. His three children and wife, Dorah Nwadike, survived him.
Osmond Gbadebo
On May 30, 2022, Gbadebo passed away. The producer and actor for Yoruba movies passed away after battling an unidentified terminal illness. An industry colleague, Fausat Balogun, posted the information on her Instagram page.
At the time, a number of industry peers and supporters paid tribute to the Nollywood actor and producer on their social media pages.
On June 4, his funeral service and burial were held at the Atan cemetery in Yaba, Lagos. Osmond was well-known and had many roles in the Nigerian film industry. He passed away when he was 45 years old.