Veteran actor and scholar, Professor Adekola Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo.
He was aged 80.
The news of his death was announced on Friday by his son, Adetoyese Oyewo, through a message shared on his Facebook account.
In the announcement, Adetoyese described his father as a man whose life was marked by “love, wisdom, strength and kindness.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beloved father,” he wrote.
He said that although the family was grieving, they remained grateful for the life Professor Oyewo lived and the impact he made on countless individuals throughout his lifetime.
According to him, the late actor’s legacy would continue through the memories shared by family members, friends, colleagues and admirers whose lives he influenced.
Adetoyese also appealed for prayers and support for the family during the mourning period, saying they were celebrating a life dedicated to service, learning and the arts.
Oyewo was widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading figures in theatre and performing arts, earning respect both as an accomplished actor and as an academic.
Over several decades, he contributed significantly to the development and preservation of Yoruba theatre, while also helping to promote Nigerian culture through his work on stage, screen and in the classroom.
His career spanned acting, teaching and cultural advocacy, making him a prominent voice in the growth of theatre arts in Nigeria.
