In Nigeria’s entertainment industry, it has become an unsettling trend for celebrities to log on to social media just to prove they are still alive. From fake tributes to mourning prematurely, several stars have fallen victim to false death reports.
These hoaxes spread rapidly, leaving fans heartbroken, colleagues confused, and the celebrities themselves scrambling to debunk the rumours.
Here are 12 Nigerian celebrities who have had to confirm they are still alive publicly:
Olu Jacobs
When news broke on June 30, 2024, that veteran actor Olu Jacobs had passed away, fans were devastated. Tributes poured in until Joke Silva, his wife, and family shared a video showing him very much alive. Even actress Kate Henshaw chimed in online to shut down the rumour.
This wasn’t the first time either. Back in 2020, similar reports circulated before the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) attributed the claims to “mischief-makers”.
Rumours that Jacobs had died also surfaced again in 2021 and 2022 after Silva disclosed his ailing health. She later threatened to sue netizens making unfounded claims.
Pete Edochie
In 2022, reports that ace actor Pete Edochie died after being involved in an auto crash surfaced on the internet. His son Uche, however, dismissed the claims. Uche also questioned the motives of those spreading the death rumours, adding that it has been recurring for the past twenty years.
Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)
Following a serious car accident in Delta state in 2012, RMD was rumoured to have died due to the incident that left his SUV damaged beyond repair. But the actor put the speculation to rest, confirming he and his driver, although in critical condition, had survived and were recovering.
Skiibii
The case of Skiibii remains one of the most talked-about. In 2015, the singer collapsed and was presumed dead. The incident attracted tributes from numerous celebrities, including Davido and Wizkid. However, accusations of a publicity stunt flew when he turned out to be alive. Despite the controversy, he made a comeback to the music scene and found success again in 2019.
Angela Okorie
In February 2014, Angela Okorie became the target of a death hoax after being mistaken for another fast-rising actress. She clapped back with a fiery Facebook post, declaring herself “alive and thriving”.
Zack Orji
In March 2024, reports claimed Zack Orji had died following a health scare that had landed him in the intensive care unit (ICU) months earlier. The actor had indeed collapsed at home in December 2023 and was hospitalised, but the rumour mill spun a darker tale. It was Emeka Rollas, the AGN president, who dismissed the claim.
Tony Umez
September 2023 saw Tony Umez fighting off a death rumour of his own. Deeply upset, he addressed his fans on Instagram, assuring them he’s “alive and well”. He condemned the peddlers of the hoax and even threatened legal action against those spreading false information.
“I want to assure you that I am very much alive and well. These false reports are nothing but baseless rumours spread by individuals with ill intentions,” he had said.
Odunlade Adekola
In 2017, actor Odunlade Adekola revealed that he has come across several pictures on social media claiming he had passed away. The actor, famous for his roles in Yoruba movies, appealed to people to stop spreading the rumour.
Oladips
Perhaps one of the most controversial cases involved rapper Oladipupo Oladimeji, better known as Oladips. His management announced his death in November 2023. But when he later resurfaced, many accused him of orchestrating the stunt to boost his album, which was released shortly after his purported death. Oladips denied the allegations, explaining he had been critically ill and unconscious during the time of the announcement.
Chiwetalu Agu
Back in February 2020, veteran actor Chiwetalu Agu refuted a death rumour on Instagram. He also urged fans to report any page spreading the rumour.
Ngozi Ezeonu
In January 2024, a cryptic Instagram post led to chaos online. Actress Ngozi Ezeonu had shared a half-burnt candle in memory of a close friend, but online speculators took it to mean she had passed on. She however debunked the rumour, calling out the lazy reporting and urging journalists to confirm facts before publishing.
Hanks Anuku
Also in 2020, rumour of the death of actor Hanks Anuku went viral on social media. He however dismissed the rumour as misinformation being peddled by “poisonous press vipers”.
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