The Day Nollywood Went Quiet

On Tuesday, 12 May 2026, the Nigerian film industry fell silent. Alex Ekubo, one of Nollywood's most recognisable faces, had died at Evercare Hospital in Lekki, Lagos. He was 40 years old.

The news came through Godwin Nnadiekwe, a close colleague who struggled to find words. "I'm struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me," he wrote on Instagram. "Nollywood has lost a rare soul." Within hours, tributes poured in from every corner of the industry. Funke Akindele, his co-star in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, shared screenshots of voice notes she had sent him in recent months. "I really tried to reach out to see you one more time but guess you knew best," she wrote. "You kept telling me you are fine. Chai. God knows best."

Later, filmmaker Stanley Ontop revealed what many had suspected during Alex's long months away from the public eye. Alex had been privately battling stage 4 liver cancer since 2024. He underwent a liver transplant, briefly returned to work, gave everyone hope, and then the liver failed. He fought. He really fought. And on Monday night, 11 May, he stopped fighting. His remains were deposited at the morgue. His family, as of this writing, is yet to issue a formal statement.

Who Alex Ekubo Really Was

Alex Ekubo-Okwaraeke was born on 10 April 1986 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He hailed from Arochukwu in Abia State. He studied Law at the University of Calabar and later earned a diploma in Mass Communication from Calabar Polytechnic.

Before acting, there was modelling. In 2010, he emerged as the first runner-up at the Mr Nigeria pageant. That exposure opened the door. Filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen gave him his first film role, and Alex never looked back. Within a few years, he had become one of Nollywood's most bankable leading men.

He won Best Supporting Actor at the 2013 Best of Nollywood Awards for Weekend Getaway. In 2018, Nigeria's First Lady presented him with a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to the country's entertainment industry. In 2020, he was inducted into the United Nations' Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40. The following year, he received an honorary doctorate in arts and culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion in Benin, plus the Nigerian National Award of Excellence as Global Social Giving Actor of the Year for his charity work.

Nine awards across his career. Best of Nollywood's Best Actor of the Year in 2016. Best Lead Actor in 2022. He wasn't just a pretty face. He was a craftsman.


The Films That Built a Legend

Alex Ekubo's career spanned 23 years and hundreds of films. Here are the ten that best capture the range, the charm, and the quiet discipline he brought to every role.

1. In the Cupboard (2012)

The breakthrough. Playing Tega alongside Genevieve Nnaji, Alex held his own against one of Nollywood's most formidable actresses. The role earned him the Most Promising Actor award at the Best of Nollywood Awards. It announced, clearly and loudly, that a new star had arrived.

2. Weekend Getaway (2012)

If In the Cupboard was the announcement, Weekend Getaway was the coronation. As Andre Dikeh, Alex brought charm, emotional intelligence, and effortless screen presence. The film earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards and cemented his place as a romantic lead audiences couldn't resist. The Nation described it as "one of his breakthrough roles," and iBrand Digital called it "the project that transformed him from a promising actor into a mainstream Nollywood star."

3. Lagos Cougars (2013)

Alex played Chigo in this urban comedy about wealthy older women and their relationships with younger men. The film was bold for its time, tackling themes mainstream Nollywood usually avoided. Rather than coasting on his looks, Alex delivered a layered performance that showed he was willing to take creative risks. iBrand Digital noted that it "showed audiences he was capable of handling mature and unconventional storytelling."

4. Gbomo Gbomo Express (2015)

This crime-comedy thriller about incompetent kidnappers became a fan favourite. Alex played "Hubby" with comedic energy and timing that critics praised as a standout in an ensemble cast. The Nation described his performance as "energetic and comedic" and noted how it stood out in the "fast-paced story of kidnapping and deception."

5. Power of 1 (2018)

A departure. As LeJit, a socially conscious artist in this political thriller, Alex stepped away from romantic comedies and into something heavier. The role showcased a dramatic range many hadn't seen before. Business Elites Africa called it "a departure from his usual roles in romantic comedies, showcasing his versatility as an actor." The Nation described it as "a lead role in this political thriller as a socially conscious artist, showcasing his dramatic range beyond romantic comedies."

6. Hire a Woman (2019)

A commercial hit. Alex played Emeka in this romantic comedy that became the highest-grossing Nigerian film of March 2019. The plot, a man hiring a colleague to pose as his partner for a high school reunion, was pure escapism, and Alex's charm carried it. Business Elites Africa noted his performance was "widely appreciated for its charm and relatability."

7. The Bling Lagosians (2019)

In this satirical drama about Lagos high society, Alex played Nnamdi. Acting within a star-studded ensemble, he still managed to stand out through subtle expression and controlled emotion. The Nation praised his ability to bring "style, levity, and depth to the exploration of wealth, family, and class." Nollywood Times called it "one of his most refined performances."

8. Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020)

Funke Akindele's blockbuster. One of Nollywood's highest-grossing films ever. Alex played a supporting role that added to the film's massive comedic energy. Eye Witness described it as "one of Nollywood's biggest box-office hits, where Ekubo delivered a standout supporting role." The film showed he could adapt to raw street comedy and reach audiences far beyond romantic drama fans.

9. The Blood Covenant (2022)

Dark, suspenseful, intense. Alex played Obi in this crime thriller about three young men enticed by rituals and blood money in Lagos. The role required dramatic weight, and he delivered. The Nation wrote that he "demonstrated strong dramatic chops." Business Elites Africa added that his "performance added intensity and gravitas to the film."

10. Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story (2023)

This culturally significant drama centred on the Igbo apprenticeship system. Alex took on a deeply emotional role that earned widespread praise. The Nation noted he "earned praise for emotional depth." For an actor of Igbo heritage, the role carried personal meaning, and audiences felt the authenticity.

More to Discover

These ten films only scratch the surface. Alex also delivered memorable performances in Zero Hour (2019), a gripping action production where he played the heir to a retail empire; A Sunday Affair (2023), a romantic drama praised for its emotional resonance; Fate of Alakada (2020), a commercially successful comedy; and Rush Hour, Tiger's Tail, Devil in Agbada, Soft Work, and A Man for the Weekend. The full filmography is vast. The quality was remarkably consistent.


Why This Hits Close to Home for Me

My name is Kingsley Nweke, but everyone calls me King. I'm the Events and Activation Officer at Banex Mall. Before this job, I was a boy in Lagos whose Saturday mornings were defined by Silverbird Cinema, 5:30 to 7:00 AM cartoons, and the unforgettable frustration of NEPA cutting the power during the final scene of whatever I was watching.

That childhood taught me something. Light is hope. And cinema, proper cinema, is sacred. It's why I fought to make Banex Cinema what it is today: a 60-seat auditorium with 4K digital projection, Dolby 7.1 surround sound, reclining leather chairs, and a guarantee that NEPA will not interrupt your film. Alex Ekubo spent 23 years giving Nollywood his best performances. The least we can do is watch them properly.


Where to Watch Alex Ekubo's Best Films in Lekki

Banex Cinema, on the fourth floor of Plot 10, Banex Mall, offering a tribute screening programme featuring Alex Ekubo's most beloved films through May 2026. We're finalising the schedule, but expect to see Weekend Getaway, The Bling Lagosians, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, and Afamefuna on the big screen.

Why come to Banex Cinema? Because Alex Ekubo's performances deserve more than a phone screen. Because grief is lighter when shared. And because, frankly, our popcorn-and-drinks combo is the best in Lekki. Private screening bookings are also available for groups who want to host their own tribute viewing parties.

Drive in via Akiogun Road, opposite Maroko Police Station. Park in any of our 1,000+ free spaces. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. Sit in the dark with fellow fans. Watch Alex Ekubo light up the screen one more time.


The Legacy

Alex Ekubo was nicknamed "Ikuku," the breeze. Wind. Something you feel but cannot hold. The name is painfully fitting now. We cannot hold him anymore. But we can feel what he left behind: 23 years of performances, hundreds of films, millions of fans across Africa and beyond who saw themselves in his characters.

He loved his craft. He served his industry. He kept his private battle private, never asking for public sympathy, never turning his illness into content. That is dignity. That is class.


What's your favourite Alex Ekubo film? Which role meant the most to you? Share in the comments. I read every single one. And if you're in Lekki, come watch him on the big screen. Let's remember him together.