Veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Wright has raised fresh concerns about the welfare of ageing actors following the deaths of Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, and respected theatre scholar Kola Oyewo.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Yoruba published on Friday, September 4, Wright reflected on her relationship with both actors and questioned how veterans in Nigeria’s entertainment industry can be supported when they are no longer regularly employed.
Her comments have reopened a difficult conversation in Nollywood: what happens to actors who spend decades entertaining Nigerians but struggle to secure steady income later in life?
Bukky Wright makes pension proposal
Wright said many actors of her generation entered the profession because of their passion for acting rather than financial rewards.
She acknowledged that earnings in Nollywood have improved over the years but argued that many older performers are increasingly overlooked by producers.
According to Legit.ng’s account of the interview, Wright proposed a pension-style contribution system for actors, comparing the idea to the 401(k) model used in the United States.
Her suggestion is that performers could contribute during their active years and have financial support available when they become older or are unable to work regularly.
‘Are Nollywood veterans being forgotten?’
The proposal has generated debate among Nigerians online, with some questioning whether a pension arrangement could function effectively within Nigeria’s existing system.
The reactions highlighted wider concerns about retirement security, particularly for workers in the entertainment sector whose careers may not follow conventional employment patterns.
Wright’s comments come at a particularly emotional moment for the Yoruba film community.
Ogogo’s death shocked Nollywood
Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.
Channels Television reported that his daughter, Kira Hassan, announced his death in an emotional social-media broadcast. The actor was later buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, according to Islamic rites.
Ogogo had spent more than four decades in Yoruba-language cinema and remained a recognisable figure across generations of Nigerian movie audiences. Channels Television noted his work as an actor, filmmaker and storyteller.
Kola Oyewo also died in 2026
Oyewo, another influential figure in Nigerian theatre and film, died on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80.
Premium Times reported that his death was announced by fellow actor Kunle Afod, while his family described him as a respected father, mentor and community figure.
The Guardian also reported his death at 80, noting his contribution to Nigerian theatre, cinema and academia.
His career stretched across acting, theatre and university teaching, making him one of the industry’s veteran figures.
Wright’s warning goes beyond Ogogo and Oyewo
While Wright’s remarks were prompted by the deaths of her colleagues, her proposal points to a broader issue affecting Nigeria’s creative sector.
Many entertainers work outside traditional employment structures, meaning access to retirement benefits can be inconsistent.
For Wright, the deaths of two respected colleagues have become another opportunity to ask whether Nigeria’s entertainment industry is doing enough to protect those who built it.
The debate now goes beyond mourning Ogogo and Oyewo.
It raises a bigger question: after decades of giving Nigerians entertainment, who takes care of Nollywood’s veterans when the cameras stop rolling?
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