The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following reports of the death of Nollywood actress Temitope Kofoworola Osoba, popularly known as Tope Osoba.
News of her passing emerged on Wednesday August 5, 2026, leaving fans, colleagues and well-wishers devastated, especially after the actress had previously celebrated her recovery from breast cancer and returned to acting.
Tope Osoba had openly documented her health journey, inspiring many with her resilience. In late 2024, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a lump during a self-examination. She subsequently underwent surgery in November 2024 and appealed for financial support to continue her treatment.
Several colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry, including actress Foluke Daramola, rallied around her by helping to raise funds for additional medical procedures.
In August 2025, Osoba announced that she had overcome the illness and was returning to the movie industry. At the time, she expressed gratitude to everyone who supported her throughout her treatment, saying she was ready to begin a new chapter in her acting career.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the actress would have turned 41 in December 2026.
Since news of her death surfaced, tributes have continued to pour in across social media, with many describing her passing as heartbreaking. Fans and colleagues have remembered her for her courage, talent and determination during her battle with illness.
