By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The news of the death of popular Nollywood actor, Alexx Ekubo, hit the Nigerian social media space on the evening of Tuesday, May 12.
Ekubo, who has been away from the spotlight and social media since December 2024, passed on at the age of 40 on Monday night at Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos, reportedly following months of battling cancer.
The Nollywood actor’s death, first announced in an Instagram post by a fellow actor, Godwin Nnadiekwe, took the Nigerian entertainment industry by surprise, eliciting tributes from colleagues, friends, and fans.
In the post, Nnadiekwe wrote, “I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul, and I’m lost for words because this wasn’t the plan, Alex Ekubo.”
He further added, “To think you already prepared your will — it’s a heartbreak I can’t quite describe. Rest well, my friend.”
In their tributes, some of Ekubo’s colleagues expressed shock following the news of his death, noting that they had tried reaching out to the actor but met a brick wall.
Funke Akindele, in a post shared on her Instagram story on Tuesday, mourned the demise of her colleague.
Akindele wrote, “Hmmmmmm. Rest in peace, Alex. I tried to reach out to see you one more time, but I guess you knew best. May your kind soul rest in peace, Alex. ‘Ore mi like you fondly called me, I will always remember and cherish the good times we shared together. Rest in Peace, Alex.”
Also, Omoni Oboli wrote, “I’m so upset! Who will help me fight death? This is too much! How are we supposed to move on? How do we say goodbye? I’m devastated. My bestie! Why? We had a plan! Where do I start from?”
As tributes continue to pour in, Impact Nigeria Newspaper highlights key things you need to know about the late actor, including being a model and humanitarian.
Early life and background
Alexx Ekubo-Okwaraeke was born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but hails from Arochukwu in Abia State. He was fluent in English, Igbo, and Hausa.
Education
Ekubo attended Federal Government College, Daura, Katsina State, for his secondary education. He proceeded to study Law at the University of Calabar and also obtained a degree in Mass Communication from Calabar Polytechnic.
Journey into entertainment
Ekubo first gained national attention in 2010 after finishing as first runner-up in the Mr Nigeria competition.
The exposure and his performance at the Mr Nigeria contest launched him into the Nigerian entertainment space and became a springboard into modelling, compering, and acting.
Acting career
His acting career began with a minor role in Sinners in the House, a 2003 movie. He, however, rose to prominence after starring in the Nollywood hit Weekend Getaway in the early 2010s, marking his professional acting sojourn.
Ekubo featured in several notable Nollywood productions, including Lagos Cougars, In the Cupboard, Dream Walker, Hire a Woman, Sugar Rush, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Fate of Alakada, and Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story.
He built a reputation as a leading actor in romantic movies, comedies, and contemporary Nigerian cinema.
Alexx as ‘Johnny’
Ekubo further gained popularity in 2014 following the release of the music video of Yemi Alade’s ‘Johnny,’ a character played by Ekubo, earning him the ‘Johnny’ sobriquet. The video gained over 100 million views on YouTube, becoming the first music video by an African female artiste to achieve such a feat.
Humanitarian work and recognition
Ekubo was involved in social impact and humanitarian initiatives besides being an entertainer. The actor was listed among the Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40 by the United Nations and has received recognition for his contributions to entertainment and charity work.
The actor received an honorary degree in Arts & Culture from ISCG University, Benin Republic, in 2021.
He also received several awards over the years, including acting honours at the BEFFTA Awards, Screen Nation Awards, Best of Nollywood Awards, the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year in 2021, and international film festival recognitions.
Family life
Ekubo maintained a private life and was often seen with his mother, Jane Ekubo-Okwaraeke, at public functions.
He was not publicly seen or romantically linked with anyone until his engagement with his ex-fiancée, Fancy Acholonu, a model and luxury jeweller, in Los Angeles, California, in May 2021.
However, Fancy called off the engagement three months before their wedding in a terse Instagram post in August 2021, marking the end of their five-year relationship. She later apologised to the actor following the breakup.
Before his death, the actor had often dismissed conversation about marriage, insisting that he was more focused on building his career and making money in the film industry.
