The Nigerian film industry is experiencing a period of mourning following the death of actress, producer and director Allwell Ademola, who passed away on Saturday, 27 December 2025.
The news of her death came early Sunday, before it spread rapidly across social media, prompting much grief within the Nollywood community. Many struggled to come to terms with the unexpected loss, sharing personal memories via social media posts and recalling the humour and generosity that Ademola carried, both on and off the set.
Veteran actress Faithia Williams was among the first to confirm the news publicly, writing in a short, emotional Instagram post, “Haaaa. This hit me so bad. Eniobanke. Allahu Akbar..Allwell.”
Countless other tributes have also poured in, painting the picture of a woman who has established herself as a major figure in Nigerian cinema, being admired for her versatility as an actress who was able to move effortlessly between Yoruba cinema and English-language productions. Her colleagues, in their tributes, describe her as someone deeply committed to the craft of storytelling, generous with advice and passionate about inspiring young creatives starting out in the industry.
During the time following her passing, an official statement from the Ademola family was shared by a close friend and actor, Rotimi Salami. The family confirmed that Ademola had been 49 years old and conveyed their gratitude for all the prayers, love and support they have received. They described Allwell as a gifted and passionate creator who has distinguished herself as a thespian, singer, actress and filmmaker.
In addition to her accomplishments in the industry, Ademola also comes from a distinguished lineage, as a daughter of the Ademola family of Ogun State and a great-granddaughter of the Alake of Egbaland. She was also the granddaughter of the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Nigeria’s first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria.
According to details revealed by reports, the actress had suffered a suspected heart attack in her residence in Lagos. A neighbour reportedly rushed her to Ancilla Hospital, Agege, where they pronounced her dead upon arrival. The unexpected nature of her passing caused much grief and shock across Nollywood, particularly within the Yoruba film sector, where she was constantly present.
Ademola had a career that spanned over four decades. She first stepped into acting as a child in 1986, steadily building herself a reputation that expanded significantly during the late 2000s and 2010s. She received significant attention for her role as Mama Kate in Ile W (2018), as well as in You or I (2013), Third Eye (2022), and the adventure film Koma: Beyond Awakening (2025).
The actress has also shown her skills in other facets, including music, having formed a band in 2002, named Allwell and Company. They released an album in 2006. Additionally, she has also worked behind the camera as a producer and director.
Many major figures from Nollywood have posted tributes dedicated to the late actress. Nollywood giant Funke Akindele wrote, “Rest in Peace, Allwell. This is so sad. May the lord comfort her loved ones. Amen.”
Actress Mide Martins described the day as a “Black Saturday”, sharing her grief, with actor Alesh Sanni adding his sadness that her work was not promoted enough during her lifetime.
Adding a note to the tragedy was Ademola’s final Instagram post, shared just hours before her death, in which she offered a quiet prayer for longevity as the new year approached.
