Tears, tributes, and heartfelt memories marked the final farewell to Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo, who has been laid to rest in his hometown of Arochukwu, Abia State, following a series of emotional burial ceremonies attended by family, friends, colleagues, and admirers.
The celebrated actor, model, and philanthropist died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40 after a private battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer, a revelation that stunned many within the entertainment industry.
The final phase of his burial rites began on June 17 when his remains arrived at his family residence in Ujari Village, Arochukwu. Relatives, community leaders, and members of the Nollywood community gathered for a wake-keep ceremony that featured traditional rites and emotional reflections on his life.
On Thursday, mourners assembled at Mary Slessor School in Amanagwu Village, Arochukwu, for a funeral service held in his honour. Following the service, Ekubo was laid to rest at his family compound, bringing to a close a week-long programme celebrating his life and legacy.
Several prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry attended the ceremonies, including actors IK Ogbonna, Ini Edo, Deyemi Okanlawon, and other Nollywood stars who came to pay their final respects.
Videos and photographs from the burial captured emotional scenes as family members, friends, and colleagues struggled to hold back tears while saying goodbye to one of Nollywood’s most beloved personalities.
The funeral activities began earlier in June with a Service of Songs held at The Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos. The gathering brought together industry colleagues, friends, and well-wishers who celebrated his achievements and reflected on the impact he made both on and off the screen.
A Career That Inspired Millions
Born on April 10, 1986, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Alexx Ekubo rose to national prominence after emerging first runner-up in the Mr Nigeria competition in 2010, a milestone that helped launch his successful careers in modelling and acting.
Although he entered Nollywood in 2005, his breakthrough came with the film Weekend Getaway, which established him as one of the industry’s most recognisable faces.
Over the years, he featured in more than 100 movies, earning praise for his performances across romantic dramas, comedies, and contemporary African cinema.
His film credits include Weekend Getaway, Sugar Rush, Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, A Sunday Affair, Hire a Woman, Adanne, and Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story, which earned him an Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2024.
Beyond his success in entertainment, Ekubo was widely admired for his humanitarian work, youth empowerment initiatives, and commitment to giving back to society.
In 2020, he was named among the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Top 100 Under 40, while several organisations recognised his contributions to philanthropy and community development.
Friends and colleagues have continued to describe him as generous, cheerful, and deeply supportive, qualities that endeared him to many both within and outside the entertainment industry.
Though his life ended at 40, many believe Alexx Ekubo’s influence will endure through the films he starred in, the lives he touched, and the inspiration he provided to aspiring actors across Africa.
