Nigeria lost many prominent individuals in the year 2023.

In this article, News Access NG lists the prominent Nigerians who died in 2023.

Here is a list of prominent Nigerians who died in 2023

1. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

Foremost filmmaker Peace Anyiam-Osigwe died on Monday, January 9, 2023.

She established the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

She passed after reportedly being in coma for two days at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

She died at the age of 54.

2. Papa Ajasco

Femi Ogunrombi, the veteran Nigerian Actor who replaced Abiodun Ayoyinka as Papa Ajasco died on Saturday, January 14, 2023.

Late Ogunrombi was popular for his role in Wale Adenuga’s comedy series, Papa Ajasco.

The sad news of his death was made known by one of his colleagues, Husseini Shaibu, on his X (former Twitter) handle.

3. Assistant GO of RCCG, Prof. Folagbade Aboaba

Prof. Folagbade Aboaba, an Assistant General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, died on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

He died at the age of 90 after a brief illness.

He reportedly had a premonition about his death during the Holy Ghost Service of March 2022.

4. Emir of Dutse

The prominent ruler of Duste popularly known as the Emir of Dutse in Jigawa state, Alhaji Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi died on Monday, January 30, 2023.

He died at an undisclosed Abuja hospital at the age of 78 after a brief illness.

5. Pastor Paul Adefarasin’s mother

Hilda Joanne Adefarasin, the mother of Paul Adefarasin, the founder and senior pastor of House on the Rock church, died in her home on Sunday, February 5, 2023.

She died at the age of 98.

Pastor Paul made this known through a post on his Instagram page on Monday, February 6, 2023.

6. Gumi’s mum

Hajia Aishatu-Dammu Gumi, mother of popular Kaduna-based Islamic scholar and cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, died on Monday, March 6, 2023.

She died at age 84.

The mother of the cleric died at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja.

Her son Gumi, announced the sad news on his verified Facebook page.

7. Fadeyi Oloro

Veteran actor Ojo Arowosafe popularly known as Fadeyi Oloro died on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

He died at the age of 66.

Arowosafe was reportedly ill for over three years before he gave up to death.

He got the name Fadeyi Oloro after starring in a Yoruba TV series ‘Arelu’, in the 80s.

His death was announced by Popular comedian Woli Arole in a post on his Instagram page.

8. First Nigerian female senator

The first Nigerian female senator, Senator Franca Afegbua died on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

She was a Nigerian politician and beautician who represented Bendel North in the Nigerian Senate in 1983.

She died at 80.

9. Ex-Ekiti Deputy Gov Bisi Egbeyemi

The immediate past Deputy Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi died on Friday, March 17, 2023, after a brief illness.

He died at the age of 78.

He was a Deputy Governor of Ekiti State between 2018 and 2022.

10. Oladipo Diya

Lt. General Oladipo Diya, Who was deputy to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, died on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

He died at the age of 79.

He passed on in the early hours of Sunday, according to a statement by Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.

11. Bola Ajibola

A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola died on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

He died at the age of 89.

12. Chinwoke Mbadinuju

Ex Anambra Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju passed on, on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

He died at the age of 78.

He passed on at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness.

His first son, Chetachi Mbadinuju announced the sad demise of his father.

13. Peter Enahoro

Renowned columnist and former Daily Times Administrator Peter Enahoro, died on Monday, April 24, 2023.

He passed on in London according to a statement by his family.

He died at the age of 88.

14. Saint Obi

Popular Nollywood actor Saint Obi died on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Obi died in Jos, Plateau state.

He was 57.

But the sad news of his demise was announced on Friday, May 12, 2023.

15. Murphy Afolabi

Popular Nollywood actor Murphy Afolabi died on Sunday, May 14, 2023.

He died at the age of 49.

Afolabi died one week after celebrating his birthday on May 5

16. Raymond Dokpesi

Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the founder of DAAR Communications, the owners of AIT and Raypower FM, died on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Raymond died at the age of 71.

He passed on in the early hours of Monday in a hospital in the federal capital territory.

17. Senator Annie Okonkwo

Senator Annie Okonkwo, who represented Anambra Central died on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

He died at the age of 63.

He was said to have died in the United States where he had been receiving treatment.

18. Afeez Agoro

A Nigerian man who was widely regarded as the tallest man in the country Afeez Agoro Oladimiji died on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

He died at the age of 48.

Agoro passed on at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

19. Don Brymo

Popular Nollywood actor Don Brymo died on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

He died at the age of 56.

Brymo, who was hale and hearty after he returned from a movie set, reportedly collapsed in his hotel room in Rivers State.

He was confirmed dead when he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Anambra after the first hospital diagnosed him with a stroke and high sugar level.

20. Iyabo Oko

Veteran Yoruba movie actress, Sidikat Odunkanwi Aka Iyabo Oko, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

She died at the age of 62.

Her daughter announced the passage of her mother on her social media page.

21. Cynthia Okereke

Veteran Nollywood actress, Cynthia Okereke died on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

She died at the age of 63.

One of Okereke’s colleagues, Joseph Okechukwu, announced the news on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

22. Pastor Taiwo Odukoya

The Co-Founder and Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church Pastor Taiwo Odukoya died on Monday, August 7, 2023.

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Odukoya died in US at 67.

His death was confirmed in a statement on the Church’s official Facebook page on Tuesday, August 8.

23. Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi

The designer of Nigeria’s flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi OFR, died on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

He died at the age of 87.

One of late Akinkunmi’s children who announced the news of his death on social media, said he died after a brief illness.

24. Akintola Williams

Pa Akintola Williams, Doyen of Accounting died on Monday, September 11, 2023.

He died at the age of 104.

He was the first person to qualify as a chartered accountant in Nigeria.

25. MohBad

Nigerian artiste Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Alabama popularly known as MohBad died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

He died at the age of 27.

There have been a lot of controversies surrounding his death.

The Late singer’s body was exhumed by the Lagos state govt for investigations and autopsy.

26. Pat Nebo

Renowned Nollywood art director and production designer, Pat Nebo died on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

He died at the age of 84.

His death was confirmed by Shaibu Husseini, an entertainment journalist and lecturer.

27. John Oboh

The godfather of Ajegunle music, John Oboh, popularly known as Mighty Mouse died on Monday, September 18, 2023.

He died at the age of 57.

The legendary music producer passed on after reportedly battling cancer.
Umaru Shehu

Nigeria’s first Emeritus Professor, Umaru Shehu, died on Monday, October 2, 2023.

He died at the age of 97.

28. Ohinoyi of Ebiraland

The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim joins his ancestors on Sunday. October 29, 2023.

He passed on at the age of 94.

Before his demise, he was also the Vice Chairman of Kogi State Traditional Council.

The monarch passed in a hospital in Abuja, while receiving treatment.

29. Aisha Bello Mustapha

A veteran broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Aisha Bello Mustapha died on Monday, December 11, 2023.

She died at the age of 57.

She was famous on the Network News at 9 pm.

30. Prophet Samuel Abidoye

Prophet Samuel Abidoye Aka ‘Baba Aladura’, who was the chairman and spiritual father of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, passed on to glory on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

The clergyman died at the age of 103.

31. Chukwuemeka Ezeife

A Former Anambra governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife passed away in Abuja on Thursday, December 14, 2023.

He died after battling an undisclosed illness at the age of 84.

32. Dejumo Lewis

Veteran Nollywood actor, Dejumo Lewis popularly known as village headmaster died on Saturday, December 23, 2023.

He died at the age of 80.

He passed on after an undisclosed illness.

Actor Saidi Balogun announced the sad news of his death.

33. Ghali Umar Na’Abba

A former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba died on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

He died at the age of 65.

The former speaker died in the early hours of Wednesday in Abuja.

34. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

Former Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

He died at the age of 67.

Akeredolu died in Germany after battling prostate cancer.

As days go by the struggle for survival thickens, the hope of a common man fades away, as no one knows which way the pandemic leads. The common man, who finds it difficult to survive when there is no COVID-19, will have to double his struggle of survival, post COVID-19.

The physically challenged, people living with disabilities and the vulnerable in our society feel so unsecured at this time, struggling with the troubles of keeping social distances and properly keeping to the rules guiding the spread of this virus, which while trying to abide by might lead to a form of loneliness and social isolation. Loneliness itself is responsible for some health problems such as worry and anxiety which could lead to depression.

This is just one of the many problems facing these set of individuals in our society at this time.

Those living with disabilities find it difficult to access palliatives and medical supplies, which those without disabilities could easily have access to.

In this report, I’ll analyse the challenges physically challenged people faced during the lockdown and how they were neglected by the government.

A lot of physically challenged people who are dependent on surviving through seeking arms found it very difficult surviving during the pandemic. Many of them were restricted to street begging during the different phases of the lockdown, and had to depend on those in their immediate environment to feed.

Those who struggled to hit the street couldn’t get much money from people on streets as the streets were deserted during the day and at night.

The Local Government also didn’t help matters as there were no special cares for people living with disabilities and physically challenged in their local government. In a pandemic as peculiar as COVID-19, the first point of call for those living with disability should be their municipal/local council, who should take the burden of catering for their needs, in terms of feeding, medical care and clothing, but the reversed was the case when even the palliatives which should be shared to the poor, vulnerable, disabled and physically challenged people, were all stored and left to rotten in some secret warehouses.

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There was negligible support from the government for these group of people, except for the help they got from some churches, mosques, companies, firms, NGOs, who kept sharing palliatives within their localities.

We could confidently say that most of these vulnerable and physically challenged people depended on the palliatives and money being shared by some of these churches, mosques, companies, firms, NGOs, and some prominent people in society.

Amidst the lockdown, hope shined in the faces of some of these people when news broke out that the federal government will be giving out undisclosed amount of money to people living with disabilities, the vulnerable, less privileged and aged people, but this never became a reality as those funds were never release from those in whose hands the funds landed.

The Question we should ask our Government is, where are the special COVID-19 funds sent to Nigeria by World Bank? We need no soothsayer to tell us that the funds were allegedly syphoned by the so-called righteous government of our time.

The Government of most African countries was responsible for the welfare of the vulnerable, less privileged, aged and those living with disabilities, they made sure these set of people were properly taken care of, before attending to other citizens. But in Nigeria, the foods that were donated by food manufacturing companies as palliatives were stored in a supposed secret warehouse by Chairmen of local governments in collaboration with some house of assembly members, whose intent was to distribute these palliatives during their birthday ceremonies as a form of poverty alleviation programme in their Local Government area/ Constituency.

But when some hungry Nigerian citizens across states in Nigeria, started to discover the warehouses where these treasures were stored and rushed to take their own share, the government started calling them hoodlums.

When the looting was underway, the aged, disabled and physically challenged couldn’t get up to join in the looting and also had no one to help them loot, they had to still seek help from those who had looted.

It was a severe time for these people, and no one in Government is talking about this.

I urge the government to pay special attention to the afore mention people, so as to silently battle the hunger pandemic amongst them, to avoid people dying of hunger.

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