Entertainment

Nollywood Actress Omotola Odunsi Is Dead

Omotola Odunsi, a rising talent in the Yoruba film industry best known for her role in Lisabi: The Uprising, has died.

Her death was confirmed by fellow actor Akinola Akano, popularly known as Segbowe, who shared a tribute on Instagram along with screenshots of their last chat. In the conversation, Segbowe had asked about her wellbeing, and she replied that she had been unwell but was feeling better. He described her passing as a “strange, rude shock” and extended condolences to her family.

“Motola! Strange but I tried checking on you at the wee hours of that morning. You said you were FINE & BACK! This is a rude shock, Omotola! Journey well, sister. God be with your family,” he wrote.

The cause of her death has not yet been disclosed.

Tributes have poured in across social media from colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry. Actress and filmmaker Ashabi Simple, who is also the mother of singer Portable’s child, mourned Odunsi in a heartfelt Instagram post. She recalled their recent time together on a film set and expressed sadness over plans they made that will now go unfulfilled.

“I’m shocked. You’re one of the best actors I’m rooting for. I saw you earlier this year when I was shooting *Deputy* and we promised to feature each other in our next project, but now u laboured and didn’t wait to reap what life sef,” she wrote. “Most of your wishes we talked about didn’t even come true. GOD, we can’t question you, death is deep.”

Veteran actor Odunlade Adekola, who mentored Odunsi, also expressed grief over her passing, writing simply, “Jesus Christ. RIP Omotola.”

Odunsi began her journey in acting during her time at Olabisi Onabanjo University, where she took part in stage dramas in her second year. She was later selected for training by Adekola during an audition and graduated in 2023.

Since completing her training, she appeared in numerous Yoruba films including Officer Adaeze, Amonata, Ayanmo Ire, Ifedayo, and her breakout role in Lisabi: The Uprising.

Her passing has left a deep void in the industry and among fans who had followed her promising career.