Nollywood has recorded another sad loss. Yoruba actress Atinuke Remilekun Kareem, popularly known as Atinuke Kareem, has died after a long fight with breast cancer.
Her death was confirmed on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, by Owolabi Ajasa, the governor of the Ogun State chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN. Ajasa shared the news in a statement on his Instagram page.
How Atinuke Kareem’s Death Was Announced
In the statement, signed on Ajasa’s behalf by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, TAMPAN Ogun thanked everyone who supported Atinuke financially and emotionally during her illness. The association said her colleagues, fans, and well-wishers gave both money and prayers throughout her treatment.
TAMPAN Ogun said the association could not question God’s will and asked for strength for Atinuke’s family, colleagues, and loved ones as they mourn her.
Atinuke Kareem’s Battle With Breast Cancer
Atinuke had been open about her illness in the months before her death. In a widely shared video, she revealed that she was a breast cancer patient and that her family had spent a lot of money on her treatment. She said the financial demands of her care had become too much for her family and for TAMPAN to handle alone, so she appealed directly to Nigerians for help.
The actress, a mother of two young children, made an emotional plea for support, saying she did not want to die and leave her children behind. Her appeal drew sympathy from colleagues and fans across the Yoruba film industry, and many contributed toward her treatment. Despite these efforts, she lost the battle to the disease.
Reports indicate Atinuke’s appeal for help went out months before her death, showing how long she had been living with the illness before she passed.
A Painful Week for Nollywood
Atinuke’s death comes barely a week after another cancer related loss shook the Yoruba film industry. Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, known to fans as Ogogo, died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at age 66, after battling stage four cancer. He was buried the next day according to Islamic rites in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.
The back to back deaths of two respected industry figures within days of each other has left many Nollywood practitioners in grief and has renewed calls within the industry for better access to health insurance and cancer screening for actors, many of whom fund their own treatment or rely on public appeals when serious illness strikes.
Reactions From The Industry
News of Atinuke’s passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the Yoruba movie industry, many of whom recalled her contributions to Nollywood over the years and the courage she showed while speaking publicly about her illness.
Nollywood Life will continue to follow this story and provide updates on funeral arrangements as they become available.
