Prominent Nigerians Who Died in 2024

December 22, (THEWILL) – Nigeria witnessed the loss of several high-profile figures from all walks of life in 2024. Their deaths made newspaper headlines, sparking nationwide grief and outpouring of tributes. As the year draws to a close, Ivory Ukonu takes a look at some prominent Nigerians who passed on, leaving behind lasting legacies.

Herbert Wigwe

Herbert Wigwe’s death unfortunately, opened the flood gates of death among high profile individuals in Nigeria.

Until his death on February 9, he was the CEO of Access Holdings. He died when a helicopter transporting him, his wife, Chizoba, first son, Chizzy and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, a former chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group crashed near a border city between Nevada and California, United States of America.

There were no survivors. The two pilots transporting them with a Eurocopter EC 130 helicopter also lost their lives. Wigwe and his companions were on their way to watch a game at the Super Bowl when the sad event took place.

Before his death, Wigwe had just moved into his sprawling palatial home in Lagos. He left behind his three children, Tochi, Hannah and David as well as his self-named higher institution, Wigwe University, which he was positioning to become a centre of excellence in education.

Taoreed Lagbaja

Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff died at the age of 56 following an undisclosed illness.

Rumours of his death began to swirl about two weeks before it was officially announced, but the Nigerian Army dismissed it, insisting that he was receiving medical treatment abroad. Despite these reassurances, his condition remained a matter of concern, prompting President Bola Tinubu to appoint Major-General Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30.

Ironically, on November 5, Oluyede was officially promoted to the rank of lieutenant-  General and on November 6, the President confirmed that Lagbaja had passed on after a period of illness.

An alumnus of the United States Army War College, Lagbaja’s death marked the third time a COAS died in office. Others who died in office were Joseph Akahan in August 1967 in a helicopter crash and Attahiru Ibrahim on May 21, 2021, in a plane crash alongside 11 others just months into his tenure. Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

Ibrahim Lamorde

Ibrahim Lamorde, a former chairman of the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, died while receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed ailment. He was aged 61.

Lamorde who joined the Nigerian Police in 1986 retired as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police in 2021 and served as EFCC chairman between 2011 and 2015. He was the third Executive Chairman of the Commission following the removal of Farida Waziri, the first and only female executive chairman so far. In fact, he served twice as EFCC acting chairman (in 2008 and 2011) before his confirmation in February 2012 to replace Farida Waziri who earlier took over from him in 2008.

An indigene of Adamawa State, Lamorde was replaced with Ibrahim Magu by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations regarding the diversion of recovered stolen funds amounting to N1 trillion.

The senate committee on Ethic, Privileges and Public Relations had initiated a probe on his time as EFCC chair only to postpone the probe indefinitely after he was asked to proceed on substantive leave months before the end of his tenure officially. The probe was sequel to a petition written by one George Uboh alleging the diversion of N1 trillion, being stolen money recovered when Lamorde was the agency’s Director of Operations between 2003 and 2007, and when he was acting chairman of the commission in 2008.

Atsi Kefas

Atsi Kefas is the sister of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas. She tragically passed away after she was accidentally shot by a police escort during an attempted bandit attack.

The incident occurred in the Wukari Local Government Area of the state, where Atsi, her mother, Jumai Kefas, were traveling. Gunmen ambushed the vehicle, and in the chaos, a police officer assigned to protect the family inadvertently shot Atsi while trying to fend off the attackers.

Atsi was rushed to a hospital in Abuja for urgent medical care, but she succumbed to her injuries.

Onyeka Onwenu

Onyeka Onwenu, iconic singer, songwriter, actress, politician, journalist and businesswoman slumped after performing at the 80th birthday party of Stella Okoli, founder of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. She was quickly rushed to Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos where she was confirmed dead.

Elegant Stallion as she was fondly called was 72 years-old when she died. As a composer, she sold millions of records and won several awards during her active recording years in the 80s and 90s.

As a politician, she was a chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She unsuccessfully ran twice to become the Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area, but she wasn’t successful. She was also appointed the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Her activism saw her protest against her former employer, the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs. The then-director general of NTA, Ben Murray-Bruce had blacklisted her videos and her person from the network and so she embarked on a hunger strike outside the headquarter office of NTA.

As an actress, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award, AMAA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the movie, ‘Women’s Cot.’ Onwenu who kept her personal life private, was formerly married to Mr Ogunlende, a Yoruba Muslim. She is survived by Tijani Charles and Abraham, the product of her union with Ogunlende.

Ifeanyi Ubah

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, politician and businessman who served as a Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, was one man who escaped death following an assassination attack on him in September 2022, shielded by the bulletproof vehicle he was riding in but succumbed to death in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2024. He was 52 years old at the time of his death.

A year before his death, the Senator who lived most of his life being on the large side, spotted a new look – a well-trimmed body, making him look unrecognizable at first. He was rumoured to have undergone a gastric bypass surgery also called Roux-en-Y, a type of weight-loss surgery. It is one of the most commonly performed types of bariatric surgery when diet and exercise haven’t worked or when one has serious health problems because of one’s weight.

The two time gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra State, first on the platform of Labour Party and later on the platform of Young Peoples Party, YPP, would later defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC after he won the senatorial seat. He had hoped to battle governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the number one seat in the state in 2025.

At the time of his death, he was the founder of Capital Oil, with one of the largest tank farms for petroleum products storage and distribution in Lagos. He was also the founder of The Authority Newspaper; Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a football club in the Nigeria Premier League; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation. He is survived by his wife, Uchenna Ubah and their five children.

Patience Umo Eno

Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno, the first lady of Akwa-Ibom state first lady succumbed to the cold hands of death on 26th September, 2024, following an undisclosed illness.

Affectionately referred to as Eka Iberedem Akwa Ibom, which means Mother and Strong Pillar of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Eno founded the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a foundation focused on providing shelter, food, and education to the poor and vulnerable in Akwa Ibom. Her feeding initiative, which started on a small scale, expanded to feed hundreds of children daily, ensuring no child in her care went to bed hungry.

During her time, she dedicated herself to the educational advancement of underprivileged children, sponsoring their tuition fees, providing school supplies, and ensuring they had the opportunity to succeed academically. She initiated several vocational and financial empowerment programmes aimed at helping women in her community gain skills and financial independence.

Mrs Eno played an active role in organizing medical outreach programmes, offering free check-ups, vaccinations and health education to underserved communities, particularly focusing on children and the elderly. The philanthropist is survived by her husband, Governor Pastor Umo Eno, their six children and nine grandchildren.

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Engineer Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the founder and publisher of Champion Newspapers was the president-general of Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide until his death on Thursday, 25 July, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82. Iwuanyanwu was the second president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to die in office after his predecessor, George Obiozor. Before becoming the president-general, he was the chairman of the Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

At different times, he had unsuccessfully sought to be Nigeria’s president. A graduate of engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Iwuanyanwu was the founder of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, now Heartland Football Club, which won several local and international championships.

He left behind a young wife, several children and grandchildren.

Charis Grace Onabowale

Charis Grace Onabowale, the founder of popular Lagos eatery, Mama Cass, died in October and was buried in November.

She died at the age of 76. Her death sent shock waves across the hospitality industry in Nigeria, as well as among her friends and close family members who witnessed how vibrant she was during her 75th birthday celebration in 2023. Half British, Charis was married to a Nigerian medical practitioner, the late Tunde Onabowale.

Those who shared a close relationship with her attest to her humility and entrepreneurial spirit which she brought to bear when she opened the first Mama Cass Restaurant at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos in November 1983.

The first outlet carried for the first time the brand “Mama Cass Cafeteria”. Mama Cass Restaurants later became a chain of about 14 quick service restaurants in Lagos and expanded its service locations to other parts of the country, including Ogun, Edo, the Federal Capital Territory and also in the United Kingdom. She left behind four children.

Tinuade Ladoja

Madam Tinuade ladoja was the late wife of former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.

Madam Tinuade who was the Woman President of the Aladura Movement passed on in November at the age of 71.

Activities for her funeral spanned one week and the programme of events began on Saturday, December 14, with Islamic prayers at her husband’s Bodija, Ibadan residence where Islamic clerics led prayers and it culminated into a funeral service that held at the Bemil Chapel of Epiphany in Lagos as well as a thanksgiving service at the CCC Unity parish, Ikeja, Lagos.

An astute business entrepreneur and philanthropist, Madam Ladoja is held in high esteem within her church and the Aladura Movement for her commitment, contribution and services towards the growth of the church. Fondly referred to as Prophetess Mother Celestial, she surprised many when at the age of 60, she bagged a degree in theology.

A widely travelled professional secretary, she had a career in diplomatic service -serving at the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou, Republic of Benin in the course of which she met her husband, Ladoja. She had three daughters, two from a previous marriage.

Modupe Dada

Modupe Dada was the wife of Mike Dada, the founder and president of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) and the managing director of PRM Africa Marketing and Communications Limited.

She died after a brief illness, surrounded by family members at Duchess Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria. Her death left many, including her immediate and extended families, associates, friends and well-wishers, in tears as she was a peace-loving, respectful and graceful person.

Before her death, she was the Vice-President of AFRIMA and an accomplished bank executive. She is survived by her husband, two children and siblings.

Ogbonnaya Onu

Ogbonnaya Onu, the first civilian governor of Abịa State died in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness on April 11. Onu, who was the minister of science and technology in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, was 72 years- old at the time of his death. His family was contemplating flying him abroad for better medical treatment before he succumbed to the cold hands of death.

A first-class graduate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos State in 1976 before obtaining his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley four years later. He would later serve as a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State where he rose to become the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the institution and later, acting dean of the engineering faculty.

He unsuccessfully sought a senatorial ticket of the now-defunct National Party of Nigeria in the old Imo State. He later contested and was elected the first civilian governor of the then-newly created Abia State in 1991 under the platform of the National Republican Convention. He was sworn in January 1992.

The former minister resigned from his position in 2022 minister of science and technology to contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC which was won by Bola Tinubu, who eventually emerged as Nigerian president in the 2023 general elections.

John Okafor

John Okafor more popularly known as Mr Ibu died on March 2nd, of cardiac arrest. He had a long battle with illness.

The late actor’s health issues first came to public attention last year. One of his legs was amputated in November 2023 after fans donated to a crowd-funding scheme for his medical bills. Before the amputation, he had undergone five surgeries, and his leg was cut off to save his life. His last years were tumultuous.

As the actor laid on his hospital bed, members of his family were in a fierce battle, accusing one another of wanting to embezzle the money raised by members of the public. His son Daniel Okafor and adopted daughter Jasmine Chioma got arrested on suspicion of hacking into his phone and taking $60,700 (£47,800) for themselves. The money was from the crowd funding scheme for Mr Ibu. It was also alleged that the actor was involved in an affair with his adopted daughter, though both parties denied the allegations. Indeed, the actor’s last years were tumultuous.

On different occasions, he claimed to have survived several poison attempts. According to him, three attempts were made on his life, but he survived them all. Mr Ibu, famous for his comedic roles, rose to fame two decades ago in the film ‘Mr Ibu’ which became his career-long nickname. It is still regarded as one of the best Nigerian performances in a comic role. He went on to star in more than 200 Nollywood films.

He is survived by one of his numerous wives and several children.

Amaechi Muonagor

Amaechi Muonagor, a veteran Nollywood actor, died on March 24 at the age of 62 after a prolonged illness following a diagnosis of kidney disease, diabetes and stroke.

His illness was brought to the fore by his colleague, Kingsley Orji, when he shared a video of the late actor on his Instagram, saying the illness affected his speech. Similarly, Tony Muonagor aka Tony One Week, a singer and cousin of the late actor, equally appealed to the public to donate towards helping the actor while he was undergoing weekly dialysis and other treatments at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State. He added that his family had been shouldering the costs for years, until a stroke made Amaechi’s case more serious and indeed more expensive to battle alone, hence the publicity.

Days before his death, on 19 March, the late actor sought financial assistance from Nigerians and philanthropists for a kidney transplant in India. Prior to that time, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) sought financial support for the actor after they had depleted their resources to help offset his medical bills.

Amaechi began his journalism career with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in 1989 before debuting in Nollywood in the early 90s classic, ‘Taboo (part 1). He has featured in over 100 movies. He was nominated for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for Best Actor.

John Odonwodo

Nollywood actor, John Odonwodo aka Junior Pope died on April 10 in a boat accident on the River Niger while returning from a movie shoot.

The 43-year-old actor, along with four other crew members, lost his life in the tragic incident. Initially, a glimmer of hope flickered when the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) reported signs of life. However, the hope was tragically extinguished hours later after the guild confirmed Junior Pope’s passing, stating that efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated movie Junior Pope was returning from, blamed Junior Pope‘s death on his refusal to wear a lifejacket during the boat trip. In 2010, Junior Pope won the ‘Nollywood Most Promising Actor’ award at the Entertainment Factory Awards. His influence transcended the Asaba film industry.

He became a recognisable face in Nollywood, particularly known for his work in action comedies and crime thrillers where his charisma and talent shone brightly. He left behind a wife and three children.

Tolani Quadri

Tolani Quadri, aka Sisi Quadri, was a Nollywood actor who plied his trade in the Yoruba genre of the industry.

He passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 44. His death was announced by his colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry, and he was buried the following day in Iwo, Osun State according to the Muslim faith.

Before settling for acting, Sisi Quadri studied fashion design for four years. In 2000, he got introduced to acting. He also tried his hands on movie makeup.