The Nigerian film industry has been plunged into fresh mourning following the sudden death of veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Solomon Akiyesi, who reportedly died in his sleep in Abuja.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed on Monday by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, who disclosed that the actor went to bed on Sunday night but never woke up.
According to Yakubu, Akiyesi’s remains have been deposited in a morgue in Abuja, while the guild awaits further details from his family regarding the circumstances surrounding his sudden passing.
Akiyesi, a native of Ososo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, began his acting journey in the late 1990s and went on to establish himself as a respected figure in Nollywood, starring in over 100 movies during his illustrious career.
Some of the films that featured the late actor include Marry Who You Love, Kiss My Pain, joy of Nakasha, Heart of a Saint, Deadly Affair, Gen Z Wife, Olaedo The Fisher Girl, Pretty Liars, The End Is Near, and Desperate Ladies.
News of his death has triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and colleagues paying tribute to his talent and legacy in the Nigerian movie industry.
Akiyesi’s sudden death comes barely three weeks after the passing of veteran actor Davis Offor, famously known for his role as Clarus in the classic sitcom The New Masquerade, raising fresh concerns over the recent wave of tragic losses in Nollywood.
