Alexx Ekubo
Born
Alexx Ikenna Ekubo-Okwaraekee

(1986-04-10)10 April 1986
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Died 11 May 2026(2026-05-11) (aged 40)
Lagos, Nigeria
Alma mater University of Calabar
Occupations Actor, entertainer, humanitarian

Alex Ekubo-Okwaraeke (10 April 1986 – 11 May 2026) was a Nigerian actor, known for acting in Nollywood. Ekubo was the first runner-up at the 2010 Mr Nigeria contest and later starred in Weekend Getaway. In 2020, he was recognised among the "Most Influential People of African Descent" under 40 for his contributions to entertainment and social development in Africa.[1]

Early life and education

Ekubo was from Arochukwu in Abia State.[citation needed] He attended Federal Government College Daura in Katsina State and studied law at the University of Calabar.[2] in 2021, he received an honorary degree in arts and culture from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Gestion[3] (ISCG University) in Cotonou, Benin.[citation needed]

Career

Ekubo's film debut was a minor role in Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun's Sinners in the House (2003). He later appeared in films including Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story, Power of 1,[4] A Sunday Affair, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, The Bling Lagosians, Catch.er, Zero Hour,[5] The First Lady,[6] Lagos Cougars, and Weekend Getaway, often portraying charismatic or comedic characters. His performances have been praised for blending humour, emotional depth, and commercial appeal.[citation needed]

Ekubo appeared in over 100 films and worked with several Nollywood filmmakers. His appearances at film festivals worldwide and work with streaming platforms enhanced his international profile.[citation needed]

Philanthropy and advocacy

Beyond entertainment, Ekubo was known for his humanitarian and youth advocacy work. He participated in numerous charitable initiatives and outreach programmes across Nigeria and West Africa. In 2020 He received a certificate of excellence from the Sapio Club SGD (Sustainable Goals Development)[7] for his contributions to entertainment and humanitarian efforts in Africa. In 2021, he received the Global Social Giving Actor of the Year by the Nigerian National Awards for his charitable works.

In 2023, Ekubo was recognised as the Rotary Youth Ambassador of the Year under Rotary International District 9142.

Personal life and death

Ekubo was known for his fashion style and appeared on several best-dressed lists across Africa. He maintained a private lifestyle and used his platform to advocate for social causes and youth empowerment.[citation needed]

Ekubo died from kidney cancer in Lagos on 12 May 2026, at the age of 40, following a prolonged illness.[8][9][10][11][12]

Television

  • Secrets & Scandals
  • Hope Bay
  • Happy Family
  • Tinsel
  • AY's Crib (2013–2015) as JJ
  • Married to the Game (2014–2015) as Vincent Coker

Filmography

  • Ladies Gang (2011) as Jude
  • Aina (2011) as Handsome Man
  • Weekend Getaway (2012) as Andre Dikeh
  • True Citizens (2012)
  • In the Cupboard (2012) as Tega
  • Dream Walker (2013) as Dream Man
  • Keeping my Man (2013) as Rasheed
  • Lagos Cougars (2013) as Chigo
  • Champagne (2014) as Tare Hopewell
  • Single, Married and Complicated (2014)
  • Ifedolapo (2014)[13] as Richard
  • Gold Diggin (2014) (with Yvonne Nelson and Rukky Sanda) as Chris
  • Undercover Lover (2015) as Collins
  • All that Glitters (2015)
  • The First Lady (2015) (with Omoni Oboli) as Obama
  • Gbomo Gbomo Express (2015) as Hubby
  • Luke of Lies (2015) as Luke[14]
  • Death Toll (2015)[15]
  • Entreat (2016) as Michael Olawale
  • The Other Side of the Coin (2016)
  • Diary of a Lagos Girl (2016) as Ife
  • Wife Material (2017)[16] as Tony
  • A Man for the Weekend (2017) (with Syndy Emade) as Bryan
  • Catcher (2017) as Tony Bello
  • 3 is a Crowd (2017)[17][18] as Derek
  • Hot Girl Next Door (2018) as Ken
  • Switch (2018) as Leo
  • Power of 1 (2018) as LeJit
  • The American King: As told by an African Priestess (2019)
  • Bling Lagosians (2019) as Nnamdi
  • Zero Hour (2019) as Zamani Davou
  • Your Excellency (2019) as Kachi
  • 72 hours (2019)
  • Soft Work (2020) as Dare Olusegun
  • Son of Mercy (2020) as Efe
  • Bitter Rain (2021) as TY
  • The Real Us (2021) as Nnamdi
  • Charlie Charlie (2021)
  • Tiger Tails (2022) as Udoka
  • The American King (2022)
  • Almajiri (2022)
  • The Blood Covenant (2022) as Obi
  • Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story (2023)
  • Peace Be Still (2023)
  • A Sunday Affair (2023) as Femi
  • Rush Hour (2024) as Abuchi
  • Smiling Masks (2024)

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film Result Ref
2012 Best of Nollywood Awards Most Promising Actor In The Cupboard Won
2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards Best Supporting Actor Weekend Getaway Won
Best of Nollywood Awards Best Supporting Actor Won
2014 Screen Nation Awards Favourite Male Emerging Screen Talent (African) Himself Won [19]
2017 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Lead role – English Inikpi Nominated [20]
2020 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role (English) The Bling Lagosians Won [21]
Best Kiss in a Movie Nominated [22]
2021 Net Honours Most Popular Actor Won [23]

See also

  • List of Nigerian actors

References

  1. ^ "Alex Ekubo dead: Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo die at age 40 years old". BBC News Pidgin. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  2. ^ "Alex Ekubo: Nollywood actor dies aged 40 in Nigeria". BBC News. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  3. ^ "Alexx Ekubo gets Honorary Doctorate Degree from ISCG Benin University". BellaNaija. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  4. ^ Power of 1 (2018) - Plot - IMDb. Retrieved 19 June 2025 – via www.imdb.com. [unreliable source?]
  5. ^ Peters, Robert (22 March 2018), Zero Hour (Crime, Mystery, Thriller), Eucharia Anunobi Ekwu, Ayoola Ayolola, Eze Daniel, FKD Production, retrieved 19 June 2025
  6. ^ Oboli, Omoni (1 October 2015), The First Lady (Drama), Omoni Oboli, Alexx Ekubo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Dioni Visions entertainment, retrieved 19 June 2025
  7. ^ "Sapio Club Celebrates Nigeria @60 *Dino Melaye, Seyi Tinubu, others grace event". globalexcellenceonline.com. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  8. ^ Ayodele, Racheal (12 May 2026). "Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo is dead". Daily Post. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Alex Ekubo dead: Nollywood star Alexx Ekubo die at age 40 years old". BBC News Pidgin. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  10. ^ "Nollywood Actor Alexx Ekubo Dies at 40 Following Illness". AsatuNews. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  11. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (13 May 2026). "Fresh details emerge on Alexx Ekubo's death as colleagues, friends mourn". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on 13 May 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  12. ^ "Nollywood Actor Alexx Ekubo Dies at 40". The Fellow Press. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
  13. ^ "Tope Osoba gives Alex Ekubo first Yoruba movie role". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Luke of Lies | Nollywood Movie Review | Talk African Movies". www.talkafricanmovies.com. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  15. ^ "'Death Toll': Alexx Ekubo, IK Ogbonna, Mike Godson star in new movie". 199News. Ayebusiwa Victor. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  16. ^ "Wife Material - iBAKATV | Home for Nollywood Movies". ibakatv.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  17. ^ "3 Is a Crowd now playing on iROKOtv!". irokotv blog. 28 April 2017. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  18. ^ "3 Is a Crowd". Talk African Movies. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Alex Ekubo wins SNA". dailytimes.com. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  20. ^ "BON Awards 2017: Kannywood's Ali Nuhu receives Special Recognition Award". Daily Trust. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  21. ^ Augoye, Jayne (7 December 2020). "BON Awards: Laura Fidel, Kunle Remi win Best Kiss (Full List of Winners)". Premium Times. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. ^ Augoye, Jayne (2 December 2020). "2020 BON: Here are 5 nominees for 'Best Kiss' category". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 21 July 2021.