As Ilaro bids farewell to one of its most illustrious sons, the remains of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have been laid to rest in his hometown today, Monday, August 24. His burial brings to a close a remarkable journey that took him from Ilaro to the heights of Yoruba cinema, where he spent more than four decades building a legacy that made his name synonymous with the industry.
The actor’s death came on Sunday afternoon, August 23, when he passed away at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer. The loss followed days of concern over his health, with his daughters publicly revealing the severity of his condition and seeking assistance for his treatment.
He completed his primary education at Christ Church School in Ilaro before moving to Gazikia College in Lagos for his secondary education. However, financial difficulties forced him to discontinue his studies, after which he attended a technical college and later worked as an automobile mechanic at the water corporation for about 13 years.
Hassan began acting in 1981 while still working as a mechanic. In 1994, he left his job at the water corporation to pursue acting full-time, marking a decisive turning point in the career that would eventually make him one of the familiar faces of Yoruba-language cinema.
The news of his death has continued to spread across the Yoruba film industry, with several of his colleagues mourning the veteran and expected to be present in Ilaro to pay their final respects. Actors, filmmakers and other prominent figures in the Yoruba entertainment scene are expected to gather in his hometown for his funeral today, as tributes continue to pour in for the late actor.
Beyond acting, Hassan also established himself as a filmmaker and screenwriter, with credits including Dr Brown (1995) and Ekun-Ayo (1996). He also featured in several notable productions across different generations of Nigerian cinema, including Owo Blow, Omo Ghetto, Anikulapo (2022), Ige – The Unlikely Oil Merchant (2023) and the Netflix series Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre (2024).
As Taiwo Hassan is laid to rest in Ilaro Ogun State, his legacy lives on through the characters, stories and productions that helped define his place in Yoruba cinema. His performance as the Alaafin in Anikulapo earned him a 2023 AMVCA nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a fitting reminder that even decades into his career, Ogogo remained a force on screen and a respected figure in Nigerian film.
