Kola Oyewo spent more than six decades giving Nigeria some of its most unforgettable performances on stage, screen, and in the classroom. This article covers his full life story, from his royal upbringing in Oba-Ile, Osun State, to his academic career, his family, his roles in landmark Nigerian productions, and the news of his passing on June 12, 2026, at age 80.
🕯️ Kola Oyewo passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. Nigeria’s creative community is in mourning. His son, Oyewo Adetoyese, confirmed the news in an emotional tribute.
Who Is Kola Oyewo and Why His Story Matters
Kola Oyewo is one of Nigeria’s most respected names in theatre, cinema, and academia. His full name is Professor Adekola Akangbe Gabriel Oyewo, though most people in and outside Nollywood simply know him as Kola Oyewo. He is the man who brought King Odewale to life in Ola Rotimi’s timeless African tragedy, “The Gods Are Not to Blame,” and that single role alone made him a permanent part of Nigerian cultural history.
But Kola Oyewo was never just one thing. He was an actor, a dramatist, a filmmaker, a university lecturer, a chieftaincy title holder, and a keeper of Yoruba oral tradition. He started acting as a teenager in 1964 and was still being celebrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 80th birthday in March 2026, just three months before his death. That kind of career does not happen by accident. It happens when someone truly lives what they love.
Millions of Nigerians watched him in “Saworoide,” “Sango,” “Super Story,” and many other productions without necessarily knowing everything about the man behind those performances. This biography aims to change that.
Why Kola Oyewo Is Trending Right Now (June 2026)
Kola Oyewo passed away on the night of Friday, June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. The news was first widely shared by Nollywood actor Kunle Afod, who announced it on his Instagram page with the words: “Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow.”
His son, Oyewo Adetoyese, later released a more personal statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beloved father, Adekola Akangbe Gabriel Oyewo. He was a wonderful man whose love, wisdom, strength, and kindness touched the lives of many.”
In the weeks before his death, Kunle Afod had visited Kola Oyewo at home alongside fellow veteran Peter Fatomilola. During that visit, Oyewo had openly spoken about a health challenge involving an enlarged prostate that had slowed him down in recent years. He mentioned that frequent urination and lack of sleep had made it difficult for him to take on major solo roles. His honesty in that moment touched many fans and added a deeply human layer to the public memory of who he was.
Cause of Death: No official medical cause of death has been released by the family as of June 16, 2026. Kola Oyewo had spoken publicly about battling an enlarged prostate in his final years, but his family has not confirmed this as the direct cause. This article will not speculate beyond what has been confirmed.
His passing also brought renewed attention to his long friendship with Professor Peter Fatomilola, another legend of the same generation, prompting many people to search for Peter Fatomilola’s biography alongside Kola Oyewo’s story. The two men shared decades of history on the same stage and in the same academic corridors.
Everything You Need to Know About Kola Oyewo
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Adekola Akangbe Gabriel Oyewo |
| Known As | Kola Oyewo |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Oba-Ile, Osun State, Nigeria |
| Date of Death | June 12, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 80 years |
| State of Origin | Osun State (Southwest Nigeria) |
| Ethnicity | Yoruba |
| Education | Obafemi Awolowo University; University of Ibadan |
| Occupation | Actor, Dramatist, Scholar, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 1964 to 2026 (over six decades) |
| Wife | Late Modupe Oyewo (deceased) |
| Children | Adewale, Adeyemi, Adetoyese, Adegoke, Oluwatobiloba (mentioned in tributes) |
| Father | Bamgbola Oyewo (egungun dancer/masquerader) |
| Chieftaincy Title | Balogun of Oba-Ile |
| Religion | Yoruba traditional practices and Christianity (publicly held) |
Early Life and Family Background
Kola Oyewo was born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, a town in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State in Southwest Nigeria. He came from a family that was both royal and deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition. His father, Bamgbola Oyewo, was an egungun dancer, meaning he performed as a masquerader in cultural ceremonies. From his father, Kola said he learned patience, a quality that would serve him well across his long career.
What makes his upbringing even more interesting is that his family was also part of the ruling lineage of Oba-Ile. His uncle was the reigning king of the town, and young Kola grew up in the palace. He was immersed in Yoruba culture, royal protocol, oral tradition, and community life from his earliest years. This was not just background colour for a future actor. It became the very source of his craft.
He attended Saint Joseph Primary School at Oba-Ile from 1955 and completed his primary education at Saint Benedict Catholic Primary School in Osogbo in 1960. He then proceeded to Saint James Secondary Modern School in Osogbo. His educational path took him from the palace to the classroom, and he never forgot either world.
Education
Kola Oyewo’s academic story is remarkable, mainly because he did not follow the conventional timeline. He enrolled at Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife) and earned certificates in dramatic arts and Yoruba oral literature. He later went back and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the same institution in 1995. He was already a practising actor by then, which means he studied formally while building a career simultaneously.
He then pursued postgraduate education at the University of Ibadan, where he earned a Master of Arts degree and later a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in drama. His full academic title was Dr. Gabriel Adekola Oyewo, and in his later career, he rose to the rank of Professor of Theatre Arts. The fear of losing his job to younger, more formally qualified academics, as he admitted in a 2016 Punch Newspapers interview, was one of the things that pushed him to go back to school. That honesty says a lot about his character.
Career
His professional acting career began in 1964 when he joined the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group in Osogbo, Osun State. This was one of the most popular Yoruba travelling theatre groups of that era. His debut role was as Adejare in “Orogun Adedigba,” an adaptation of Oyin Adejobi’s autobiography. He remained with the group for nine years, from 1964 to 1973.
In 1973, he moved to the University of Ife’s Ori Olokun Cultural Studies centre, where he worked with colleagues who would become legends in their own right, including Peter Fatomilola, Jimi Solanke, and others. This period sharpened his craft and gave him a deeper connection between performance and Yoruba cultural scholarship.
His most acclaimed role came when he played King Odewale in “The Gods Are Not to Blame,” a powerful stage production written by Chief Ola Rotimi. The play is a Yoruba retelling of the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, and Oyewo’s portrayal of the tragic king earned him continental recognition. It remains the role most associated with his name.
| Production | Type | Notable Role / Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| The Gods Are Not to Blame | Stage / Theatre | King Odewale (his most celebrated role) |
| Sango | Film (1997) | Major role in the epic Yoruba historical film |
| Saworoide | Film | Iconic Yoruba political drama |
| Koseegbe | Film | Featured role |
| Super Story | TV Series | Recurring appearances |
In 1996, Oyewo joined the staff of Obafemi Awolowo University as a lecturer in Theatre Arts. He rose to the rank of Senior Lecturer before retiring in September 2011. After retirement, he did not stop teaching. He went on to lecture at Redeemer’s University and later at Elizade University in Ondo State. He also taught for a period at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
Age
Kola Oyewo was born on March 27, 1946. He turned 80 years old in March 2026, just three months before his death. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially honoured him on that birthday, describing him as a national treasure and a worthy ambassador of Nigerian storytelling. He passed away on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80.
Is Kola Oyewo a King?
This is one of the most searched questions about him, and the answer sits between yes and no, depending on how you define it. Kola Oyewo is not a traditional king or Oba in the formal monarchical sense. However, he holds the chieftaincy title of Balogun of Oba-Ile, which is a significant traditional title in Yoruba culture. The Balogun is a war chief and one of the recognized kingmakers in the town. In an interview with Punch Newspapers, he himself stated: “I am the current Balogun of Oba-Ile and one of the kingmakers.” So while he is not the sitting king, he is a high-ranking traditional chief who plays a role in choosing who becomes king.
Is Kola Oyewo a Professor?
Yes, he is. Kola Oyewo earned a Ph.D. in drama from the University of Ibadan and rose to the rank of Professor of Theatre Arts during his academic career. He taught at Obafemi Awolowo University as a Senior Lecturer, and continued to teach after retirement at Redeemer’s University, Elizade University in Ondo State, and Ekiti State University. His students and colleagues remember him as a passionate, demanding, and deeply generous teacher.
Wife
Kola Oyewo was married to a woman named Modupe Oyewo. His late wife Modupe played a meaningful role in supporting his education and acting career over the years. She has been described in credible profiles as someone who encouraged him to pursue his academic qualifications even while he was already working as an actor. The exact date of her passing has not been publicized, and the family has kept details about her private. Among the children mentioned in tributes by colleagues after his death are Adewale, Adeyemi, Adetoyese, Adegoke, and Oluwatobiloba.
Parents
Kola Oyewo’s father was Bamgbola Oyewo, who was an egungun dancer, a traditional masquerader in Yoruba culture. In an interview, Oyewo credited his father as someone from whom he learned patience. His mother’s name has not been documented in any verified public source. He described himself as being born into the Abodunrin and Bamgbola Oyewo family of the Ese Ola ruling lineage of Oba-Ile.
Religion
Kola Oyewo did not make strong public statements about personal religious affiliation in the standard sense. He attended Catholic schools during his primary education, which points to some exposure to Christianity in his formative years. His background in Yoruba oral tradition and his deep cultural practice suggest a man who respected and engaged with both worlds. No single religion has been officially claimed or confirmed as his personal faith in any verified interview.
Net Worth
No verified net worth figure for Kola Oyewo has been confirmed by the family or any official source. Some online profiles estimate a range between $100,000 and $800,000 based on his decades of acting, academic salary, and productions. These are estimates, not confirmed figures. As a longtime university professor and veteran actor with over 60 years in the industry, it is reasonable to say he built a stable and dignified life, but specific financial data is not available from any credible source.
Height
Kola Oyewo’s height has not been confirmed in any public interview or verified media profile. This information was not disclosed by the actor or his family in any available credible source.
State of Origin
Kola Oyewo’s state of origin is Osun State, specifically the town of Oba-Ile in the Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. He was born there, grew up there, and carried the culture of that community throughout his life’s work.
Peter Fatomilola: The Friend Often Searched Alongside Kola Oyewo
Many people searching for Kola Oyewo also search for Peter Fatomilola, and with good reason. The two were close colleagues and contemporaries. Professor Peter Oladele Fatomilola was born on January 16, 1946, in Ifisin-Ekiti, Ido-Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Like Kola Oyewo, he studied Theatre Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University and built a career that bridged acting, playwriting, poetry, and academia. He is known for his role in “Sango” (1997), among many other productions, and holds the title of Oluwo of Ifisin-Ekiti as a traditional Ifa priest. The two men were filmed together by Kunle Afod in a widely shared visit just weeks before Kola Oyewo’s death. Fatomilola is still alive as of June 2026.
Social Media
Kola Oyewo did not maintain a widely known personal social media presence. News about him was mostly shared by colleagues, fans, and entertainment platforms. You can follow tributes and updates related to his legacy through reputable Nigerian entertainment accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
View #KolaOyewo Tributes on Instagram
Frequently Asked Questions About Kola Oyewo
Is Kola Oyewo still alive?
No, Kola Oyewo is no longer alive. He passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. His death was first announced by fellow actor Kunle Afod on Instagram, and later confirmed by his son, Oyewo Adetoyese, in an official family statement.
What is Kola Oyewo’s cause of death?
As of June 16, 2026, the Oyewo family has not officially released a medical cause of death. In the weeks before his passing, Kola Oyewo had spoken publicly about suffering from an enlarged prostate, which had affected his sleep and ability to take on major roles. However, the family has not confirmed this as the cause and has asked for privacy during their period of mourning.
Who is Kola Oyewo’s wife?
Kola Oyewo was married to his late wife, Modupe Oyewo. She has been described in verified sources as a strong support behind his academic and acting career. She passed away before him. The specific date of her passing has not been made public by the family.
Is Kola Oyewo a king?
Kola Oyewo is not a king in the formal Yoruba monarchical sense. He holds the chieftaincy title of Balogun of Oba-Ile, which is a respected traditional title and a kingmaker role. He grew up in the palace of his uncle, who was the king of Oba-Ile at the time, but Oyewo himself was not a reigning Oba.
Is Kola Oyewo a professor?
Yes. Kola Oyewo earned a Ph.D. in drama from the University of Ibadan and rose to the rank of Professor of Theatre Arts. He taught at Obafemi Awolowo University, Redeemer’s University, Elizade University in Ondo State, and Ekiti State University throughout his academic career.
What is Kola Oyewo most famous for?
Kola Oyewo is most famous for his portrayal of King Odewale in “The Gods Are Not to Blame,” a stage production written by Chief Ola Rotimi. He is also widely recognized for his roles in the films “Saworoide,” “Sango” (1997), and “Koseegbe,” as well as the television series “Super Story.” His career spanned more than six decades.
Who is Peter Fatomilola and what is his connection to Kola Oyewo?
Peter Fatomilola is a Nigerian dramatist, actor, poet, and professor of theatre arts, born on January 16, 1946. He and Kola Oyewo were colleagues and contemporaries who worked together at the Ori Olokun Cultural Studies centre under Obafemi Awolowo University. Both men shared decades of friendship in theatre and academia. Fatomilola is still alive as of June 2026.
What are Kola Oyewo’s family details?
Kola Oyewo was born into the Ese Ola ruling family of Oba-Ile, Osun State. His father, Bamgbola Oyewo, was an egungun dancer. He was married to the late Modupe Oyewo. His children include Adewale, Adeyemi, Adetoyese, Adegoke, and Oluwatobiloba, names mentioned in tributes from his colleagues after his passing.
Final Word
Kola Oyewo lived the kind of life that refuses to be summed up in a few sentences. He was a boy who grew up in a palace without being a prince, a man who became a doctor without starting university when most people do, and an actor who never needed a red carpet to prove his worth. He walked through six decades of Nigerian creative life and left fingerprints on every corner of it, from Osogbo stages in 1964 to university classrooms in Ondo State in his final years.
What stands out most about him is not just the roles he played or the titles he earned. It is the way he talked about his craft. He once said that success is not about how many hours you put in but about the depth of the foundation you have built. For a man who literally built his foundation in a palace, in a farming community, in a travelling theatre group, in a university, and then in classroom after classroom across Southwest Nigeria, that statement carries real weight.
Nigeria has lost one of its most complete artists. But what Kola Oyewo left behind, the performances, the students he trained, the cultural work he preserved, and the human being he was, does not go anywhere. It stays. The stage is darker without him, but the light he brought to it will keep shining for a long time to come.
Disclaimer: All facts and accounts within this biography have been gathered from open-source materials. This content is offered for general informational purposes. Given the nature of public records, details may be subject to revision or correction over time.
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