The Nigerian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of one of its finest pioneers, Obafemi Lasode. He was a visionary musician, filmmaker, and cultural ambassador, who passed away in the early hours of Friday, July 25, 2025. He was 69.
His death was confirmed by renowned flutist and former PMAN president, Omatshola ‘Tee Mac’ Iseli, who revealed that Lasode had been battling a prolonged illness before joining his ancestors.
“Yes, I got a message from a close family member of Mr. Lasode that he has joined his ancestors today. Obafemi had been sick for quite some time,” Tee Mac told TheCable Lifestyle.
A Life Etched in Culture and Creativity
Born on December 4, 1955, in Port Harcourt but originally from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Lasode wore many hats with an effortless flair. He was a filmmaker, playwright, songwriter, music producer, and founder of the influential production company Even-Ezra Nigeria Limited.
Many remember him as the brain behind the epic 1997 film Sango, which not only thrilled audiences but also traveled across global film festivals, telling the rich tale of the legendary Yoruba Alaafin-turned-deity. The film was screened at the New York African Film Festival and the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, forever placing his name in the chronicles of Nigerian cinematic history.
From New York Streets to Nigerian Screens
Lasode’s educational journey took him from St. Gregory’s College in Lagos to the Kogod School of Business in Washington D.C., where he earned a degree in Business Administration. He later obtained a master’s degree in Communication Arts from City University of New York.
His early professional life began in the United States as a promotions coordinator at Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in New York. One of his career highlights during that time was hosting Nigerian music legend Sonny Okosun at the iconic Apollo Theatre in Harlem in 1984. It was a monumental feat that demonstrated his early commitment to projecting African voices on global stages.
A True Media Trailblazer
Returning to Nigeria in the late 1980s, Lasode wasted no time making his mark. In 1989, he launched Afrika in Vogue, a revolutionary music program on Radio Nigeria 2 that celebrated African sounds long before Afrobeats became a global movement.
In 1995, he founded Afrika ’n Vogue/Even-Ezra Studios, a production hub that would eventually birth Sango and other notable creative projects. His contributions went beyond entertainment. He was also a scholar. His book Television Broadcasting: The Nigerian Experience (1959–1992) is considered essential reading in Nigerian media studies, adopted by universities across the country.
Tributes Pour In
Since the news broke, tributes have been flooding in from fans, media professionals, and cultural stakeholders. Many have praised Lasode for his bold storytelling, commitment to African heritage, and immense contributions to the growth of Nollywood and the broader Nigerian creative industry.
While he may have taken his final bow, Obafemi Lasode’s legacy will continue to echo through the lenses of filmmakers he inspired, the airwaves he transformed, and the cultural stories he fought to preserve.
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