Her last WhatsApp status read “Ogo Tuntun.”
In Yoruba, it means A New Glory. Nobody knew then that it would be the final message Temitope Kofoworola Osoba would share with the world days before she died on the evening of August 4, 2026, at the age of 40.
Now her friends have announced an evening to honour her, a candlelight and artist night tagged “An Evening of Love, Music & Memories”, taking place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at LTV 8 (Blueroof), Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 5pm.
Family, friends, colleagues, artists and admirers will gather to celebrate her life, her creativity, and the two decades of work she gave to the Yoruba film industry.
“Her voice, her art, her spirit… will remain in our hearts,” the organisers said.
She deserves more than a press release. Here is the full story of who Temitope Osoba was.
Temitope Osoba did not plan to become an actress. She was born on December 2, 1985, in Abeokuta, Ogun State raised by her grandparents after losing both parents at a young age.
That foundation grief absorbed early, resilience built young would define how she moved through every challenge her life would throw at her.
Before Nollywood found her, she had already built a career as a professional dancer and video vixen, featuring in music videos for artists including Olu Maintain and Pasuma.
Then in 2005, walking home from school in Lagos, she stumbled into a movie rehearsal area and was selected on the spot for a dancing role in actress Laide Bakare’s film Ijoya.
She never left.
Over the next two decades she built a career that earned her a loyal following across Yoruba Nollywood appearing in films including Gucci Girls (2012), Accident (2013), Ifedolapo (2015), Igboro Ti Daru, Oogun Mi, and Ile Owo.
Her breakthrough came through Oogun Mi, produced by Dayo Amusa a film that introduced her to a wider audience and cemented her as a familiar face in Yoruba cinema.
She also stepped behind the camera, producing her own film Single Ladies, a reminder that she was always more than a performer. She was a creative in the fullest sense of the word.
She also obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from Olabisi Onabanjo University quietly building her academic credentials alongside her screen career.
In late 2024, Temitope Osoba discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination.
What followed was one of the most public and courageous health journeys any Nollywood actress has undertaken. She underwent surgery. She shared her story openly.
She asked for help when she needed it, a difficult thing for anyone to do, especially in an industry where vulnerability is rarely celebrated.
Nollywood stars including Iyabo Ojo and Foluke Daramola publicly appealed for support and stood by her during her treatment.
Follow-up tests eventually confirmed that the cancer had not spread. She was declared cancer-free.
Then, on August 4, 2025 exactly one year before her death she posted an emotional video announcing her return to the movie industry.
“Dear beloved fans, supporters, and loved ones, I’m Temitope Osoba, and after my cancer experience, I’m excited to announce my reintroduction. This journey has been a turning point, leading to my rebranding, reshaping, and rebuilding. I’m emerging stronger, more resilient, and more passionate about sharing my story and inspiring others.” — Temitope Osoba, August 2025
She returned to set. She promoted Cost of A Lie. She used her platform to encourage women to get tested, to self-examine, to speak about cancer without shame.
She also highlighted openly the financial reality that actors face when dealing with serious health conditions, a conversation the Nigerian entertainment industry rarely has, and needed to hear.
Temitope Osoba passed away on the evening of Tuesday, August 4, 2026. She was 40 years old, four months short of what would have been her 41st birthday.
The news was announced the following day by actor and close friend Alesh Ola Sanni, who broke his silence through an Instagram tribute that captured exactly how sudden grief feels when it arrives.
“Couldn’t sleep since last night, it’s well. Rest in peace my dearest sister, Temitope Osoba. We had amazing time and good memories together, till we meet again. I really dunno what to say mehn, gosh.” — Alesh Ola Sanni
Actress Adeyemo Seilat also mourned her in an Instagram reel: “Sigh! I hate to hear about the death of young people. Life is vanity! Rest in peace Tope Osoba. May you find eternal rest.”
The family of Awonuga/Osoba subsequently released a statement urging the public and media to disregard unauthorised reports about the circumstances of her death.
“Several claims circulating on social media and blogs are false, speculative, and entirely unauthorized,” the statement read. They asked for privacy and time to grieve, confirming that any information they chose to share publicly would come through official channels.
The cause of death has not been officially disclosed beyond her prolonged illness.
Her friends did not wait long to make sure her memory was honoured properly.
The candlelight and artist night scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at LTV 8 (Blueroof), Ikeja, Lagos, beginning at 5pm is not a formal ceremony.
It is an evening, the kind Temitope herself would have understood. Music, memory, community, love. The people who knew her, gathered in one place to make sure she is not quietly forgotten in the noise of the news cycle.
Event: An Evening of Love, Music & Memories
In Honour of: Temitope Kofoworola Osoba
Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: LTV 8 (Blueroof), Ikeja, Lagos
Open to: Family, friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers
Two decades in Yoruba Nollywood. A battle with breast cancer fought publicly, without flinching. A return to the screen against the odds. A WhatsApp status that said Ogo Tuntun: A New Glory just days before the end.
Temitope Osoba deserved more time. What she left behind is enough to honour for a long time yet.
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about breast cancer self-examination and early detection, the Nigeria Cancer Council and Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) offer resources and support in Nigeria.