Nollywood Bids Farewell to Alex Ekubo as He Is Laid to Rest in Abia

Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo was laid to rest on Thursday, June 18, in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, bringing a week of funeral rites to a close after his death in May at the age of 40. The actor, born Alex Ikenna Ekubo Okwaraeke, died on May 11 at Evercare Hospital in Lagos following a private battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer, a diagnosis his family had kept largely out of public view until his passing.

His final burial drew a large gathering of family members, Nollywood colleagues, government representatives and fans to Ujari Village in Arochukwu Local Government Area, where the funeral service was held at Mary Slessor School in Amanagwu Village before interment at the family compound on Ekubo Okwaraeke Avenue. Mourners were asked to wear white, a choice the family framed as a celebration of a life they described as full of love and lasting impact rather than a conventional display of grief.

A week of funeral rites that moved from Lagos to Abia State

The send off unfolded in stages rather than a single event. A service of songs was held on June 10 at The Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, giving Lagos based friends, colleagues and fans an early opportunity to honour the actor. His remains were then transported to Arochukwu on June 17, arriving to a reception that included a symbolic stop at the palace of the Eze Arochukwu before continuing to the family residence for a wake keep that evening.

The final funeral service and burial followed on June 18, with the procession and interment closing out a programme that had clearly been built around giving both his Lagos based entertainment community and his hometown the chance to participate fully. Abia State Governor Alex Otti also had the access road leading to the Ekubo family home upgraded ahead of the burial, a gesture that underlined how the state government treated the event as more than a private family matter.

Nollywood turned out in numbers rarely seen outside major industry events

The scale of attendance reflected Ekubo’s standing within the Nigerian film industry after a career spanning more than a decade. Actors including Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, Kate Henshaw, Mbong Amata, Angela Okorie, Venita Akpofure and Stan Nze were present, alongside businessman Obi Cubana and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo. Close friends and colleagues such as IK Ogbonna and Yomi Casual were visibly central to the proceedings throughout the week, with Ogbonna walking alongside the vehicle carrying Ekubo’s remains during the procession into Arochukwu.

Other notable figures who travelled to Abia State for the burial included Annie Idibia, AY Makun, Tacha, Frederick Leonard, Pretty Mike, Funnybone, Mike Godson and Afrobeats singer KCee. Their presence, alongside dozens of other entertainers and public figures, turned the burial into one of the largest Nollywood gatherings of the year, reflecting both the affection Ekubo earned during his career and the shock his diagnosis caused within an industry that had largely been unaware of how serious his condition had become.

Tributes pointed to a life people described as defined by generosity

Representing Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the funeral, his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, described Ekubo as a creative force and a proud son of Arochukwu whose work brought recognition to both the state and the country. Ajagba noted that the actor faced his illness with composure and faith, and said his contributions to Nollywood and African cinema would not be forgotten.

At the wake keep, actor Deyemi Okanlawon offered a tribute that focused less on Ekubo’s screen work and more on his character, describing him as someone who was always willing to help and would pick up the phone whenever a colleague called. That theme, of Ekubo as a dependable presence behind the scenes rather than simply a public figure, ran through much of the commentary from those who worked alongside him.

His sister, Treasure Ekubo, shared a personal tribute on social media before the burial, describing her brother as her best friend and reflecting on how difficult it had been to process his absence in the months since his death. The post, accompanied by family photos and videos, captured a side of the mourning that sat alongside the more public industry tributes throughout the week.

A career that began with a beauty pageant and grew into a decade on screen

Ekubo’s path into entertainment started away from acting, when he placed first runner up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria competition. That platform led him into Nollywood, where he built a career recognised for versatility across genres, appearing in films including Weekend Getaway, The Bling Lagosians, A Sunday Affair and Omo Ghetto: The Saga. He was widely known among fans and colleagues by his traditional title, Chief Ikuku, a name that featured prominently in tributes throughout the funeral week.

His passing came as a shock to much of the industry precisely because his illness had been managed privately. Several colleagues who spoke during the week of rites referenced how little public indication there had been of the severity of his condition before his death was announced, a detail that shaped much of the surprise and grief that followed across Nigerian entertainment circles in May.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Alex Ekubo die and what was the cause?

Alex Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, at Evercare Hospital in Lagos at the age of 40, following a private battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

Where was Alex Ekubo buried?

He was buried at his family compound on Ekubo Okwaraeke Avenue in Aziukwukwa, Ujari Village, Arochukwu, Abia State, his ancestral hometown.

Which celebrities attended Alex Ekubo’s funeral?

Attendees included Ini Edo, Omoni Oboli, Nancy Isime, Bimbo Ademoye, Kate Henshaw, IK Ogbonna, Yomi Casual, Stan Nze, Obi Cubana, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo and Afrobeats singer KCee, among many others from Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

How many funeral events were held for Alex Ekubo?

His send off took place across three stages, a service of songs in Lagos on June 10, a wake keep in Arochukwu on June 17, and the final funeral service and burial on June 18.

What was Alex Ekubo known for in Nollywood?

Ekubo built a career spanning more than a decade, appearing in films including Weekend Getaway, The Bling Lagosians, A Sunday Affair and Omo Ghetto: The Saga, after first gaining public attention as first runner up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria competition.