Nollywood has lost one of its own. Yoruba actress and producer Temitope Osoba, popularly called Tope Osoba, has died at the age of 40 after a long fight with breast cancer.
The sad news came out on Wednesday morning, August 5, 2026, but Osoba actually passed away the evening before, on Tuesday, August 4. Her colleague and close friend, actor Alesh Ola Sanni, was the one who broke the news to the public through an Instagram post. He said he could not sleep after hearing about her death and wished her rest, calling her his dearest sister.
Veteran actress Foluke Daramola also reacted with grief, simply writing that her baby is gone. Many other Nollywood stars and fans have since flooded social media with condolence messages, remembering Osoba as warm, hardworking and full of courage.
As at the time of this report, the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed by her family, though it comes amid her long running cancer struggle.
Her cancer journey
Temitope Osoba’s health battle started in late 2024 when she found a lump in her breast during a self examination. Doctors first thought it was linked to hormonal changes common in women of childbearing age, but when the lump kept growing, further tests confirmed it was breast cancer.
She had her first surgery in November 2024. At the time, she publicly asked for financial help to cover the cost of a second procedure needed to remove the remaining cancer cells, and colleagues like Iyabo Ojo were among those who rallied support for her.
Later tests showed that the cancer had not spread, and she was eventually declared cancer free.
Her inspiring comeback
On August 4, 2025, almost exactly one year before her death, Tope Osoba shared an emotional video announcing her return to acting after beating cancer. She described the experience as a turning point that led to what she called her rebranding, reshaping and rebuilding.
After her comeback, she used her platform to speak up for breast cancer awareness, encouraging women to carry out regular self checks so they can catch the disease early, just as she did.
Her career
Tope Osoba was well known in the Yoruba film industry both as an actress and a producer. She featured in popular titles such as Ile Owo, Omo Iya Kan and Gucci Girls, and was respected for her range and her dedication both in front of and behind the camera.
Her death has left a big gap in Yoruba Nollywood, with tributes still pouring in from colleagues, fans and industry figures across Nigeria.
Nollywood Life will continue to update this story as more details, including funeral arrangements, become available.
