Tragedy hits Nollywood again as another popular actor is dead
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu, who passed away at the age of 71.
Ikpechukwu reportedly died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, after a prolonged illness, according to reports citing a family source.
His death was announced on Friday by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, who paid tribute to the actor in a social media post.
“Another Legend bows out!! RIP Diewit Ikpechukwu,” Yakubu wrote, using a variant spelling of the actor’s first name.
Although details surrounding his death remain limited, his passing has revived memories of a career that spanned more than two decades and took him through football, corporate employment and eventually the Nigerian movie industry.
Ikpechukwu was not a newcomer to public life when he ventured into acting. He had first established himself in football, where he played as a right winger and reportedly attracted attention for his skills during the 1970s.
His football ability earned him an invitation to the Green Eagles camp, as Nigeria’s senior national football team was then known.
He also developed an interest in broadcasting while studying in Kaduna, working part-time with radio stations and providing football commentary.
His academic journey took him to Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he studied Marketing and obtained a Higher National Diploma. He later completed his national service at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Ikpechukwu subsequently worked with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), rising to the position of Senior Manager in Marketing before retiring.
In an interview with The Punch published on July 30, 2022, he explained that his interest in acting grew while he was working with NITEL.
“The National Television Authority, Enugu, invited me to be part of the production of the popular soap, Second Chance, with Chief Zebrudaya,” he recalled.
His transition into feature films came in 1998 when he was invited to play the role of a traditional ruler in Evil Men.
He described the opportunity as a significant break, saying he was given the role without going through an audition.
The production featured established actors including Pete Edochie, Alex Usifo, Liz Benson and Larry Cole, and was directed by the late Chico Ejiro.
Ikpechukwu said the film opened doors for him in the industry and helped establish his presence as an actor.
He subsequently featured in productions including August Meeting and Antichrist, in which he played a reverend whose eyes were removed by the film’s “666 warriors”.
Other films associated with his career include The Guilty, The Guilty 2, Royal Palace, Across the River, Python King, Omera, A Dance to Forget, Emecheta, Nwando and Ìjé Love.
Beyond his screen performances, Ikpechukwu played an active role in the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Enugu State, where he became the pioneer chairman of the guild’s state chapter.
He used the position to encourage younger practitioners to understand that opportunities in the film industry extended beyond acting.
In his 2022 interview, he recalled organising seminars for young people, drawing attention to career paths such as props and set management, costume design, make-up, continuity and other production roles.
He cautioned aspiring actors against expecting instant fame, arguing that success in the industry required patience, dedication and an understanding of the craft.
“It is impossible to just come on camera one day and expect to be an automatic star in a few days,” he said.
He also expressed concern about changes in Nollywood’s production culture, particularly the decline of script conferences, which he said previously brought producers, directors and actors together to examine scripts and identify corrections before filming began.
His views reflected the experience of a performer who had witnessed the Nigerian film industry evolve through different stages of its development.
Away from acting, Ikpechukwu reportedly owned a communications company and maintained links with the sporting community in Enugu.
His connection to football continued long after his playing days. He served as patron of Veterans All Stars International Football Club in Enugu, where he remained a respected figure.
The club reportedly recalled his commitment to veterans’ football and said he had been expected to attend a training session on October 10, 2026, but fell ill a day before the event.
His death has therefore been felt beyond Nollywood, touching a sporting community with which he maintained longstanding relationships.