New details surrounding the reported death of Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo have continued to emerge, deepening shock across Nigeria’s entertainment industry as colleagues and close associates recount his final months away from public attention.

While tributes from actors, filmmakers and broadcasters have dominated social media, fresh revelations from friends and industry insiders are also drawing attention to the actor’s prolonged absence from the spotlight and the private health battle he reportedly kept away from public view.

Reports late Monday indicated that Alexx Ekubo died in Lagos at the age of 40 after allegedly battling a serious illness. Multiple Nigerian platforms reported that the actor passed away at Evercare Hospital in Lekki.

Former BBNaija star and Actors Guild of Nigeria communications director Boma Akpore reportedly confirmed the development, adding that the actor’s body had been moved to Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi.

However, a closer look shows that official statements from immediate family members were still limited as tributes and reactions rapidly spread online.

One of the strongest emotional reactions came from actor Godwin Nnadiekwe, who wrote:
“I’m struggling to find the words. This news has truly broken me. Nollywood has lost a rare soul.”

Veteran filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen also shared new insight into how Ekubo entered Nollywood, revealing that the late actor frequently visited movie locations in Surulere while still in school before eventually receiving his first acting role.

“That was how I gave him his first movie role that ushered him into Nollywood,” Imasuen recalled.

Beyond the official reports, several colleagues disclosed that Ekubo had gradually withdrawn from public appearances and social media over the past year.

The actor had reportedly maintained a low profile since late 2024, fueling speculation among fans about his health and personal struggles. Yet friends now say he consistently reassured people who checked on him that he was “fine.”

Actress Yvonne Jegede revealed she repeatedly reached out to him during his absence from the public eye, while actress Ruth Kadiri admitted she feared something serious could eventually happen despite efforts to stay in contact.

That framing leaves out a broader issue increasingly affecting celebrities in Nigeria: many public figures quietly battle health and emotional challenges away from social media while attempting to maintain privacy under intense public scrutiny.

Several reports also linked his reduced public visibility to the collapse of his engagement years earlier, though colleagues close to the actor largely focused on his personality, kindness and loyalty rather than past controversies.

Alexx Ekubo was widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most commercially recognisable actors during the rise of modern urban Nigerian cinema.

Known for his charisma, fashion appeal and romantic lead roles, he built a strong fan base across Nigeria and other African countries.

In 2020, he was recognised among influential people of African descent under 40 by the United Nations for contributions to entertainment and social development.

What makes his reported death especially emotional for many fans is the contrast between his once highly visible public lifestyle and the quiet nature of his final months.

The situation has now reignited conversations around celebrity wellness, mental health pressures and the lack of structured healthcare support systems within Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

The flood of tributes from stars including Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Omoni Oboli, Peter Okoye, Kate Henshaw and Mo Abudu reflects the scale of Alexx Ekubo’s relationships within the industry.

But beyond the grief, many within Nollywood are once again confronting difficult questions about how actors cope privately with illness, emotional struggles and career pressure.