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10 Nigerian Celebrities Who Died Too Young
The entertainment industry in Nigeria is one of the most vibrant and exciting in Africa. It has produced countless of the biggest stars on the continent, including musicians, actors, comedians, and filmmakers. However, it has also been marred by the untimely deaths of many talented individuals.
The deaths of these young celebrities have had a profound impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry. They have left a void that will be difficult to fill. However, their legacies will live on through their work and the memories of their fans.
In this article, we delve into the lives of Nigerian celebrities who died too young and departed from this world at a young age, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with fans and peers alike.
10 Nigerian Celebrities Who Died Too Young
Here is a list of 10 Nigerian celebrities who died too young:
- Dagrin (Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun)
- Goldie Harvey (Susan Oluwabimpe Filani)
- Bisi Komolafe
- Zara Gretti (Margaret-Mary Joseph)
- Damino Damoche
- Muna Obiekwe
- Dede One Day (Onwuzuruike Onyehidelam)
- Clems Onyeka
- Ireti
- Sound Sultan
1. Dagrin
Dagrin is one of the Nigerian celebrities who died too young and whose death shocked the whole country. His real name is Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo and was a popular Nigerian rapper who rose to fame in the early 2010s.
He was known for his unique rapping style, which incorporated elements of Yoruba language and culture. Dagrin was also known for his social commentary, often rapping about the realities of life in Nigeria.
Dagrin died in a car accident in 2010 at the age of 22. His death was a shock to the Nigerian music industry and to his fans. He is considered one of the most promising rappers of his generation and his death is often cited as a tragedy.
2. Goldie Harvey
Goldie Harvey whose real is name Susan Oluwabimpe Filani was a Nigerian singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the early 2010s. She was known for her unique blend of R&B, pop, and hip hop, and her catchy melodies. Goldie was also known for her flamboyant style and her energetic live performances.
Goldie was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1981. She began her music career in the late 2000s, and released her debut album, “Goldie,” in 2010. The album was a commercial success, and spawned the hit singles “Go Low” and “Twerk It.”
Goldie continued to release successful albums and singles throughout her career. She also appeared on the reality TV show “Big Brother Africa” in 2012. Goldie died suddenly in 2013 at the age of 31. Her death was a shock to the Nigerian music industry and to her fans. The cause of death was later revealed to be hypertensive heart disease.
3. Bisi Komolafe
Bisi Komolafe is also one of the Nigerian celebrities who died too young; she was a Nigerian actress who rose to fame in the early 2010s. She was known for her roles in Yoruba-language films, such as “Igboro Ti Daru” and “Aramotu.” Bisi was also known for her beauty and her charming personality.
Bisi was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1986. She began her acting career in 2008 and quickly became one of the most popular actresses in Yoruba cinema. She starred in over 50 films before her untimely death in 2012.
Bisi died on December 31, 2012, at the age of 26. She was pregnant at the time of her death. The cause of death was a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Bisi Komolafe’s death was a shock to the Nigerian entertainment industry and to her fans. She was a talented actress with a bright future ahead of her. Her legacy lives on through her films and through the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
4. Zara Gretti
Zara Gretti (real name Margaret-Mary Joseph) was a Nigerian-American singer who rose to fame in the early 2010s. She was known for her hit songs “Aboko ko”, “The Flyest”, and “Teno”. Zara was also known for her openness about her battle with multiple sclerosis.
Zara was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1986. She moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue her music career. She released her debut album, “The Flyest”, in 2011. The album was a commercial success, and spawned the hit singles “Aboko ko” and “Teno”.
Zara was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012. She was open about her diagnosis and her struggles with the disease. She used her platform to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and to encourage others who were living with the disease.
Zara died on March 28, 2014, at the age of 28. She was at her home in Ogba, Lagos, Nigeria. The cause of death was multiple sclerosis. Her death was a shock to the Nigerian music industry and to her fans. She was a talented singer with a bright future ahead of her. Her legacy lives on through her music and through the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
5. Damino Damoche
Another celebrity whose untimely death was a shock to the industry was Damino Damoche; he was a rising star in the Nigerian music industry whose life was tragically cut short, akin to several other young Nigerian celebrities who left us too soon.
Born on June 30, 1991, Damino Damoche, whose real name was Olaniyan Damilola, was a talented singer and songwriter. He gained recognition for his unique style and musical prowess, quickly amassing a following among music enthusiasts and fans. However, his promising career was abruptly halted when he faced a violent and untimely death.
On February 28, 2013, while pursuing his passion for music at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Damino Damoche was shot and killed, leaving behind a grieving family, friends, and a music industry that had only just begun to witness his potential. His tragic end adds to the list of other young Nigerian celebrities who passed away prematurely.
6. Muna Obiekwe
Muna Obiekwe was a Nigerian actor who rose to fame in the early 2000s. He was known for his roles in Nollywood films, such as “Reloaded”, “Heart of a Thief”, and “The Return of Jenifa”. Muna was also known for his good looks and his charming personality.
Muna was born in Abia State, Nigeria, in 1979. He began his acting career in 2001 and quickly became one of the most popular actors in Nollywood. He starred in over 100 films before his untimely death in 2015.
Muna died on January 18, 2015, at the age of 36. He was suffering from kidney disease. His death was a shock to the Nigerian entertainment industry and to his fans.
Muna Obiekwe was a talented actor who had a bright future ahead of him. His death was a tragedy, but his legacy lives on through his films and through the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
7. Dede One Day
Another celebrity on our list of the 10 Nigerian celebrities who died too young is Dede One Day; he was a Nigerian actor and comedian who rose to fame in the early 2010s. He was known for his roles in Nollywood films and television series, such as “Laugh with Me”, “Aki na Ukwa”, and “The Johnsons”. Dede was also known for his unique sense of humour and his ability to make people laugh.
He began his acting career in 2005 and quickly became one of the most popular actors in Nollywood. He starred in over 100 films and television series before his untimely death in 2015. Dede died on December 14, 2015, at the age of 39.
He was suffering from high blood pressure. His death was a shock to the Nigerian entertainment industry and to his fans. Dede One Day’s death was a tragedy, but his legacy lives on through his work and through the hearts of those who knew and loved him. He was a talented actor and comedian who had a long and successful career, and his work will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
8. Clems Onyeka
Clems Onyeka was a promising Nigerian actor whose life was tragically cut short at a young age, much like several other Nigerian celebrities who died too young.
Born on February 10, 1979, in Onitsha, Nigeria, Onyeka embarked on a career in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry, where he showcased his remarkable talent. He gained recognition for his roles in various movies, displaying a versatility that captivated audiences and fellow actors alike.
However, his promising career was abruptly halted when he met an untimely demise on October 14, 2012, at the age of 33. Onyeka’s untimely death is a sombre reminder of the fragility of life in the world of Nigerian entertainment.
Tragically, he is not alone in this regard, as several other Nigerian celebrities have also faced untimely deaths that left a void in the industry. These include stars like Muna Obiekwe, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 36, and Goldie Harvey, a vibrant singer who died at 31 in 2013.
9. Ireti
Adebimpe Adekola, widely known as Ireti, is another poignant example of a Nigerian celebrity who left us too soon, emphasizing the vulnerability of young talents in the entertainment industry.
Her untimely death is a sombre reminder of the need for better support systems and healthcare within the Nigerian entertainment sector, as it continues to grapple with the loss of talented individuals like Clems Onyeka, Muna Obiekwe, Goldie Harvey, and many others who have passed away prematurely, leaving behind a lasting impact on the industry and its audiences.
She was known for her versatility in portraying various roles in Nollywood movies and television series, earning her a dedicated fan base. Tragically, her promising career and life were cut short when she passed away on September 27, 2002, at the age of 26.
10. Sound Sultan
Sound Sultan, whose real name was Olanrewaju Fasasi, was a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actor, and businessman. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1976. He began his music career in the early 1990s, and released his debut album, “Laughing Face,” in 1999. He went on to release several other albums, including “Dangerous Love” (2004), “Back from the Brink” (2007), and “Evolution” (2012).
Sound Sultan was known for his unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and hip-hop. He was also a successful actor, appearing in several films and television shows. In 2018, he was diagnosed with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. He died from the disease in 2021 at the age of 44.
Sound Sultan’s death was a shock to the Nigerian music industry and beyond. He was a talented musician and actor who was loved by many. His death is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living each day to the fullest.
Conclusion
The stories of young celebrities like Dagrin, Bisi Komolafe, Clems Onyeka, Ireti Adekola, Jerry Amilo, and Damino Damoche, who left us too soon, remind us of the fragility of life and the unforeseen challenges that talented individuals can face.
These promising artists, each in their own right, made significant contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry, leaving behind legacies that continue to resonate with their fans.
Their untimely deaths shine a light on the urgent need for better support systems, healthcare, and security within both the educational institutions that nurture young talents and the entertainment industry itself. As we remember and celebrate their lives and talents, it is our responsibility to ensure that the dreams of future stars are protected and nurtured, so they can continue to enrich Nigeria’s cultural tapestry.