Nollywood actor and producer Solomon Akiyesi has died in his sleep after a brief illness, the Actors Guild of Nigeria has confirmed.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, confirmed the development on Monday. “Yes, it is true. He died yesterday. Slept and did not wake up from sleep. We await further details from the family. His body in the morgue in Abuja where the sad incident happened,” Yakubu told TheCable Lifestyle.
According to Yakubu, the actor’s daughter said Akiyesi complained of chest pain the night before his death and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an ulcer and given medication. He returned home, went to sleep, but did not wake up the following morning. “His wife tried to wake him around 4 a.m., but he did not respond,” the AGN president said.
He described the actor’s death as a major loss to the industry, adding that the guild is mourning with his family. His remains have been deposited in a morgue in Abuja, where he died.
Born and raised in Ososo community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Akiyesi entered Nollywood in the late 1990s. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he built a reputation as a reliable character actor and producer, appearing in over 100 films. He was known for roles in films such as Desperate Ladies, Pretty Liars, Bridge of Contract, Heart of a Saint, Marry Who You Love, Gen Z Wife, Kiss My Pain, Joy of Nakasha, Deadly Affair, Olaedo The Fisher Girl, Accidentally Us, and The End Is Near.
Colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute, describing Akiyesi as a versatile actor whose performances left a lasting impression. Actress Celestina Dovigalle described him as lively and full of energy, noting that he brought joy to every set. “Some people don’t just walk into a room—they light it up with laughter. Solomon Akiyesi was that kind of soul. Playful, full of life, and always ready to turn even the most serious set into a moment of joy,” she wrote. She added that working with him meant more than just acting. “It meant laughter between takes, lightness in heavy moments, and a presence that made everything feel easier. He had a way of reminding you not to take life too seriously.”
Akiyesi also served on the Board of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and was the President of the National Association of Ososo Creatives. In 2015, he survived a life-threatening sickness and shared a picture of himself undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Beyond his acting, Akiyesi’s legacy remains tied to controversies that once surrounded his personal life. In 2013, his wedding to his second wife, Uloma Agwu, was disrupted when his first wife, Lilian, who was pregnant, stormed the Overcomers Church World Outreach in Surulere, Lagos, claiming they were still legally married. Reports at the time alleged that he had divorced Lilian while she was eight months pregnant. The controversy led to him being labelled a “serial husband” by some critics.
News of his passing began circulating on social media on Sunday, April 26, 2026, with multiple sources claiming the actor went to bed and did not wake up. Popular blogger Stella Dimoko Korkus was among the first to share the development. “According to info reaching me, he slept on Sunday and didn’t wake up. May his soul rest in peace,” she wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, official confirmation from family members is still being awaited. Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and fans, remembering him for his energy, humour, and contributions to Nollywood.
