Veteran Nollywood actor, Diewait Ikpechukwu, has died at the age of 71, following a prolonged illness.

Ikpechukwu, who was also a former footballer, reportedly died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, according to a family source.

His death was announced on Friday by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, who paid tribute to the late actor in an Instagram post.

“Another Legend bows out!! RIP Diewit Ikpechukwu,” Yakubu wrote.

Although details surrounding his death remain sketchy, his passing has thrown the Nigerian film industry into mourning, marking another loss to a generation of actors who contributed to the growth of Nollywood.

From Football to Nollywood

Born on August 23, 1955, Ikpechukwu had an interesting career journey that took him through football, broadcasting, telecommunications and eventually the Nigerian film industry.

Before becoming an actor, he was a talented footballer who played as a right winger during the 1970s. His footballing abilities reportedly earned him an invitation to the Green Eagles camp, Nigeria’s former senior national football team.

He played for football clubs including Blue Diamonds of Nsukka and Kaduna Rocks. He also captained the Kaduna Polytechnic football team.

However, he reportedly declined the opportunity to pursue a career with the national team following his father’s insistence that he prioritise his education.

Educational Background and Career

Ikpechukwu attended Comprehensive High School in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, before proceeding to Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma in Marketing.

He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

While studying in Kaduna, he developed an interest in broadcasting and reportedly worked with radio stations as a football commentator.

Before venturing fully into entertainment, he worked with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), where he served as a business office manager.

His journey into acting gained momentum through television productions at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Enugu.

Acting Career and Movies

Ikpechukwu made his feature film debut in 1998 in Evil Men, where he portrayed a traditional ruler alongside established Nollywood actors, including Pete Edochie, Alex Usifo and Liz Benson.

He subsequently built a career spanning more than 25 years, becoming particularly recognised for portraying kings, traditional rulers, elderly statesmen and other influential characters in Nigerian films.

Some of the productions he featured in include Royal Palace (2005), The Guilty (2006), Across the River (2006), Python King (2007), Omera (2019), A Dance to Forget (2020), Emecheta (2021), Nwando (2021) and Ìjé Love (2022).

His commanding screen presence and ability to interpret traditional roles made him a familiar face to Nollywood audiences.

Contribution to the Actors Guild of Nigeria

Beyond his acting career, Ikpechukwu was actively involved in the Actors Guild of Nigeria and served as the pioneer chairman of the guild’s Enugu State chapter.

He was also passionate about mentoring upcoming actors and encouraging young people seeking careers in the entertainment industry.

He reportedly advised aspiring actors against desperation in their pursuit of fame, urging them to take their craft seriously, dedicate themselves to every role and avoid exploitation.

Outside acting, he was also reported to have owned a communications company.

Family

The late actor was married to Gloria Ikpechukwu and was blessed with children and grandchildren.

His death marks the end of a remarkable journey that cut across sports, broadcasting and entertainment.

As tributes continue to emerge, colleagues and admirers will remember him for his contributions to Nollywood and his efforts towards nurturing emerging talents.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be officially announced by the family.

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru has died at the age of 57 following a brief illness, his family has announced.

The family disclosed his death in a statement posted on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, expressing gratitude to fans, colleagues and well-wishers for their prayers and support.

“We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.

“We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement read.

The family did not disclose the nature of the illness or announce funeral arrangements as of the time of filing this report.

Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness. In June, a video showing him looking frail circulated on social media, raising concerns among fans and colleagues.

The actor subsequently released a video on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious” and dismissing the claims about his health.

Early Life and Education

Born Francis Ogide Duru on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, the actor spent his formative years in the Central African country, where he completed his primary and secondary education.

He later returned to Nigeria to pursue his university education at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he studied Theatre Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.

His academic background in theatre helped lay the foundation for a career that spanned more than three decades, during which he established himself as one of Nollywood’s recognisable performers.

Rise to Fame in Nollywood

Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late filmmaker Ndubuisi Oko.

However, his breakthrough came in 1995 when he played Ahanna in Rattlesnake, an action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.

The film became a defining production in the history of Nollywood, and Duru’s performance helped bring him wider recognition among Nigerian audiences.

His portrayal of Ahanna remains one of the roles associated with his rise during the formative years of Nigeria’s home-video film industry.

Over the years, Duru demonstrated his versatility by featuring in films across different genres, including drama, crime, family stories and comedy. He worked alongside several established actors and filmmakers, building a reputation for his ability to interpret diverse roles.

Notable Movies

Throughout his career, Duru featured in numerous Nigerian films and productions. Some of his notable screen credits include:

• Missing Mark (1989)
• Rattlesnake (1995)
• Blood Money (1997)
• Narrow Escape (1999)
• Home in Exile (2010)
• Nnenda (2009)
• Stigma (2013)
• Mortuary Gate (2014)
• Lipstick (2016)
• Who Killed Chief? (2017)
• Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons (2018)
• Why Not? (2019)
• The Good Husband (2020)
• Mboputa (2020)
• The Locals (2021)
• Blood Vessel (2023)
• Abigail’s Memoir (2024)
• Ugly Bird (2024)

His extensive filmography reflected his ability to remain relevant across different generations of Nollywood productions, from the industry’s early video-film era to more recent cinematic releases.

Awards and Industry Contributions

Duru received several honours in recognition of his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry.

In 2007, he was named a United Nations Ambassador of Peace in recognition of his positive influence on young people.

He was appointed interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in 2010, reflecting his involvement in the affairs of the professional body representing Nigerian actors.

In the same year, he received a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

In 2020, he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Igbo-language film category at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.

Beyond his acting career, Duru was also associated with humanitarian and youth-development initiatives, contributing to efforts aimed at improving the welfare and opportunities available to young people.

Family Life

Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together.

The family suffered a devastating loss in August 2024 when their son, Ifeanyi, died at the age of 15.

The actor publicly mourned his son at the time, attracting messages of sympathy and support from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment community.

His death on Friday marks the loss of a veteran performer whose career connected different generations of Nigerian cinema.

With memorable roles in productions such as Rattlesnake, Blood Money and Mboputa, Duru leaves behind a body of work that reflects his contribution to the growth and development of Nollywood over more than three decades.

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