The movie industry is mourning today following the loss of veteran actor Taiwo Adeshina, a man generations of film lovers knew simply as “Elegbeje Ado.”
Fellow actor Kunle Afod broke the news via a somber Instagram post on Tuesday, paying respects to a performer who spent over two decades shaping indigenous Nigerian cinema.
“We regret to announce the passing of one of the legends of the Yoruba Nollywood industry,” Afod shared online, thanking the late actor for the memories and legacy he leaves behind. He closed his tribute with condolences for Adeshina’s family, friends, and core fanbase.
Word on the ground is that Adeshina died on Monday, June 29, after battling a brief illness. However, the exact type of illness that took the actor’s life hasn’t been revealed.
For over two decades, he was a staple on Nigerian screens. He made a name for himself by taking on heavy, authoritative roles, usually playing the local traditional ruler or a wise community elder.
That famous nickname, “Elegbeje Ado”, wasn’t his actual name. It was just a movie character he played so perfectly that the public simply refused to call him anything else. But there was another side to him that casual fans usually missed. Off-camera, Adeshina traded the script for the Bible. He was an ordained Christian minister, quietly balancing his pastoral work with the chaotic schedule of a Nollywood actor for his entire adult life.
