Nollywood actress Tope Osoba has died at the age of 40 after a battle with breast cancer, bringing to an end a months-long public fight against the disease that prompted appeals for financial support from colleagues, fans and well-wishers.

The actress’ death was announced on Wednesday by fellow Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola, who shared the news in an emotional post on Instagram.

“She’s gone. Tope is gone, my baby is gone. Ha ha ha iku doro o,” Daramola wrote.

Osoba publicly disclosed her health struggles in 2024 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In November 2024, she appealed for financial assistance after undergoing her first surgery, saying she required a second operation to remove the remaining cancerous tissue.

Daramola had spearheaded fundraising efforts on behalf of the actress, revealing that the follow-up surgery was expected to cost about N12 million. Osoba thanked those who contributed to her treatment while appealing for additional support to complete the procedure.

The actress also sought assistance through the leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria after sharing updates on her condition.

How she discovered the illness

In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, Osoba recounted how she discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination.

She said the lump was initially dismissed by a doctor, who suggested it was related to her childbearing age. However, she insisted on further medical examinations, which eventually confirmed that the lump was cancerous.

Osoba described receiving the diagnosis as one of the most difficult moments of her life.

A career in Nollywood

Osoba began her entertainment career as a dancer before transitioning into acting in the early 2000s, where she built a reputation in Yoruba and English-language Nollywood productions.

She featured in several films, including Gucci Girls (2012), Accident (2013), and Ifedolapo (2015), earning recognition for her performances across the Nigerian film industry.

Her death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the entertainment industry, who have remembered her resilience, talent and determination throughout her battle with cancer.