Veteran Actor Kola Oyewo Passes At 80 – 8 Things You Didn’t Know About The Odewale Legend

The Nigerian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor, dramatist, filmmaker, and academic, Chief Dr. Adekola Akangbe Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo. He passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. His death was announced by fellow Nollywood actor Kunle Afod on Instagram, bringing to a close a remarkable career that spanned over six decades.

Who was Kola Oyewo?

He was a veteran actor, dramatist, filmmaker, and academic. He was not just a performer – he was a scholar who taught at Nigerian universities. He was also a royal son, hailing from Oba-Ile, Osun State, with a lineage connected to traditional rulership.

Where did he build his career?

He began his acting journey in Osun State, studied at Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan, taught at OAU, Redeemer’s University, and Elizade University. His stage and screen work reached audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

What made Kola Oyewo famous?

His most celebrated performance was his portrayal of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s classic play, “The Gods Are Not to Blame.” He also appeared in iconic productions such as “Saworoide,” “Sango,” “Super Story,” “Efunsetan Aniwura,” “Yemoja,” and “O Le Ku.” He began acting in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group.

When did he pass away?

He died on June 12, 2026. The news was announced on June 13, 2026. He was 80 years old, having been born on March 27, 1946.

Why is his passing significant to Nigerian theatre and film?

Because he was one of the last links to the golden age of Nigerian theatre – the era of Duro Ladipo, Ola Rotimi, and Hubert Ogunde. He also bridged the gap between stage and screen, mentoring younger actors while continuing to perform. He was both a practitioner and an academic.

How did he contribute to education?

He earned a Ph.D. in Drama from the University of Ibadan. He served as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University (1996–2011). He then became Head of the Department of Dramatic Arts at Redeemer’s University. He also lectured at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

8 things you didn’t know about Kola Oyewo.

1. He came from royalty – but chose the stage. Kola Oyewo was born into a royal family in Oba-Ile, Osun State. He could have pursued a life of traditional leadership. Instead, he chose theatre. That choice shaped Nigerian drama for six decades.

2. He began acting in 1964 – before Nigeria’s civil war. Most actors today were not even born when Oyewo started. He joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group in 1964, playing Adejare in “Orogun Adedigba.” That was 62 years before his death.

3. He earned a Ph.D. while still acting – a rare combination. Many actors act. Many academics teach. Oyewo did both – at the highest level. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Drama from the University of Ibadan. He was not just a performer; he was a scholar of performance.

4. His role as Odewale in “The Gods Are Not to Blame” defined his career. Ola Rotimi’s play is a Nigerian classic – a retelling of the Oedipus story. Oyewo’s portrayal of Odewale is still referenced by theatre students today. He did not just play the role; he became the role.

5. He taught at OAU for 15 years – shaping the next generation. Between 1996 and 2011, Oyewo was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. Many of today’s Nollywood actors and directors passed through his classroom.

6. He became Head of Department at Redeemer’s University after retiring from OAU. Most academics retire and rest. Oyewo retired from OAU – and then became Head of Department at Redeemer’s University. He kept working. He kept teaching. He kept shaping minds.

7. He recently revealed he was battling prostate enlargement. In April 2026 – just two months before his death – Oyewo spoke publicly about his health challenges. He had been battling prostate enlargement, which affected his health and limited his participation in acting roles. His openness may have encouraged other men to seek screening.

8. His career spanned over 60 years – a record few Nigerian actors will match. From 1964 to 2026. Six decades. He saw Nigerian theatre evolve from traveling theatre groups to Nollywood blockbusters. He was not just a participant; he was a bridge between eras.

How this affects Nollywood and Nigerian theatre.

i. Nollywood has lost a patriarch – not just an actor. Kola Oyewo was not a flash-in-the-pan star. He was a father figure. Young actors sought his advice. Directors respected his craft. His death leaves a void that cannot be filled.

ii. His academic contributions will outlive his films. Oyewo taught thousands of students. Those students are now teaching others. His ideas about drama, performance, and Nigerian theatre will continue through generations of alumni.

iii. “The Gods Are Not to Blame” will now be re-evaluated with new emotion. Every time the play is performed, audiences will remember Oyewo’s Odewale. His performance is now part of theatre history – and part of the play’s legend.

iv. His health disclosure may save lives. Oyewo spoke publicly about prostate enlargement. Men in Nigeria often avoid discussing prostate issues. His openness may encourage others to get screened – and treated early.

v. The industry must now preserve his body of work. Many of Oyewo’s stage performances were not recorded. His early work with Oyin Adejobi’s group exists only in memories. The Nigerian film and theatre industry needs an archive – before more history is lost.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To the Nigerian film industry: celebrate Kola Oyewo’s life properly. Do not just post condolences on social media. Organise a memorial lecture. Name a theatre award after him. Ensure that his legacy is institutionalised.

2. To Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, and Elizade University: honour your former lecturer. Name a lecture hall or theatre after him. Invite his students to speak about his impact. Show current students what a scholar-actor looks like.

3. To younger actors: study Oyewo’s career. He did not chase fame. He chased craft. He pursued education. He taught. He performed. He never stopped learning. That is the blueprint – not just for acting, but for life.

4. To Nigerian men: learn from Oyewo’s openness about prostate health. He spoke about his condition publicly. You should speak to your doctor privately. Prostate enlargement is treatable. Silence kills.

5. To the media: when reporting his death, focus on his achievements – not just the cause of death. Oyewo lived 80 years. He gave 60 of them to theatre. That is the story.

A question to make you reflect.

If Kola Oyewo – a man who earned a Ph.D., taught at three universities, performed for six decades, and played Odewale – is not a household name to young Nigerians, what does that say about how the country preserves its artistic legends?

The answer is painful. Nigeria celebrates musicians and pastors more than theatre pioneers. Oyewo was a giant. But many young Nigerians have never heard of him. The fault is not with the youth. It is with an industry and a government that do not archive or honour their own. Oyewo’s death should be a wake-up call. If we do not preserve the stories of our legends now, the next generation will grow up thinking Nigerian theatre began with Nollywood – and that would be a tragedy.

Akahi News gathered that veteran actor Kola Oyewo has passed. He was 80. He played Odewale. He taught at OAU, Redeemer’s, and Elizade. He earned a Ph.D. He began acting in 1964. He came from royalty. He chose the stage. He died on June 12, 2026. His body of work spans six decades. His students span generations. His health battle with prostate enlargement was public – and may save other men’s lives. The theatre lights are dimmer tonight. But his legacy will not fade. Not as long as there are actors who study craft, teachers who share knowledge, and audiences who remember that Nigerian drama once lived on stage – before it moved to screen.