The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of Nollywood actress Temitope Kofoworola Osoba, popularly known as Tope Osoba, after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.
The actress reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday from complications related to the disease. She was 40 years old.
Osoba had openly shared her health struggles in 2024, revealing that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a lump during a self-examination.
Following the diagnosis, she underwent her first surgery in November 2024 and later appealed for financial assistance to continue her treatment. The appeal received widespread support from colleagues in the movie industry, including actress Foluke Daramola, who helped mobilise funds for her medical care.
After months of treatment, Osoba announced in August 2025 that she had recovered sufficiently to return to acting. At the time, she expressed gratitude to her fans, colleagues and well-wishers for standing by her throughout the difficult period, saying she had overcome the illness and was ready to rebuild her career.
Despite the encouraging recovery, the disease reportedly resurfaced, leading to complications that eventually claimed her life.
A native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, Osoba had built a reputation in the Yoruba movie industry through her roles in several films. She was widely admired for her resilience and determination during her battle with cancer.
She would have celebrated her 41st birthday in December 2026.
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment industry, who described her death as a painful loss to Nollywood.
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