The Nigerian film industry is mourning the death of popular Nollywood actress Tope Osoba, who has died after a long battle with breast cancer.
News of her passing was announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, by one of her colleagues through a post on Instagram.
Osoba’s health struggle became public in November 2024 when an appeal was made for financial support to help fund her treatment.
Actress Daramola Osoba had shared details of her condition on social media, calling on Nigerians and well-wishers to come to her aid.
At the time, she revealed that Tope had already undergone surgery but still needed additional procedures estimated to cost about N12 million.
A video showing the actress undergoing medical examinations was also shared online, while efforts were made to secure support from the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).
Speaking in an earlier interview with BBC News Yoruba, Tope recounted how she first discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination.
She said a doctor initially dismissed the lump, suggesting it was linked to her age and childbearing stage.
However, her insistence on further tests eventually revealed a far more troubling reality — the lump was cancerous.
Describing the moment she received the diagnosis, the actress said it was “one of the worst days of my life.”
Her death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment industry, many remembering her resilience and courage throughout her health battle.
