Yoruba film icon and pastor Taiwo Adeshina, known as Elegbeje Ado, dies after brief illness, prompting emotional tributes across Nollywood

Veteran Nollywood actor and cleric Pastor Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, has died at the age of 66 following a brief illness, with his passing confirmed in Lagos on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, sparking an outpouring of grief across Nigeria’s film industry.

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Elegbeje Ado Dies at 66 marks the end of a career that spanned decades in Yoruba-language cinema, where Elegbeje Ado became widely respected for his commanding screen presence, cultural storytelling and disciplined approach to performance in Nollywood productions.

The announcement of his death was confirmed by the founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, who described the late actor as a beloved figure whose work left a lasting imprint on both colleagues and audiences across generations.

In an emotional tribute shared via Instagram, Seun Oloketuyi said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Pastor Taiwo Adeshina, a beloved Nollywood legend. Your remarkable contributions to the Yoruba movie industry and the lives you touched will never be forgotten.”

Elegbeje Ado, who also served as a pastor during his lifetime, was regarded as a dual influence figure, balancing his ministry work with a steady presence in Nigeria’s evolving film landscape.

His career placed him among the notable veterans who helped shape the early identity of Yoruba Nollywood productions.

Industry colleagues have described his passing as a painful loss, noting that Elegbeje Ado Dies at 66 closes a chapter on a generation of actors who laid the foundation for today’s expanding Nigerian film industry.

Many younger practitioners credit veterans like him for mentoring and setting professional standards during Nollywood’s formative years.

Elegbeje Ado was known for roles that often reflected moral themes, cultural traditions and community life, a style that resonated deeply with audiences in southwestern Nigeria.

Over the years, he built a reputation as a powerful and consistent performer whose on-screen delivery carried both authority and emotional depth.

While full details surrounding his final days remain limited, sources confirmed he had been receiving care for a brief illness prior to his passing. His family is expected to announce funeral arrangements in due course.

The Nigerian entertainment industry has in recent years experienced a series of losses among veteran actors, prompting renewed conversations about legacy preservation and welfare support for ageing practitioners who contributed significantly to Nollywood’s rise as a global film force.

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Elegbeje Ado Dies at 66 now joins that growing list of industry farewells, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence Yoruba cinema and a legacy described by peers as both enduring and inspirational.