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.
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.
