By Sola Ojewusi
LAGOS — The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into concern following an emotional public appeal by the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who revealed that their father is battling stage-four cancer and urgently needs further medical intervention.
The actor’s daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, made separate emotional appeals on Instagram on Monday, August 17, asking Nigerians, medical professionals, hospitals and anyone with credible information about advanced cancer treatment to come forward and help save their father.
According to reports published by Punch, PM News, The Nation and other Nigerian news outlets, the family says Ogogo’s condition has deteriorated significantly and that the hospitals currently treating him have declined to continue treatment.
“Please, give this man a chance”
In an emotional video, Lima Taiwo struggled to hold back tears as she appealed for assistance.
She said her father had cancer and that the situation had become “really, really bad,” adding that hospitals were refusing to continue treating him.
The daughter appealed not necessarily for financial assistance, but for medical expertise and a facility willing and able to take on her father’s case.
The family, according to reports, has specifically appealed to cancer specialists, hospitals and medical professionals who may have experience managing advanced-stage cancer.
Lima also said the family only became aware of the seriousness of her father’s condition about three weeks ago, explaining that his physical appearance had initially given little indication of how serious the illness was.
Another daughter, Kira Taiwo, also appealed for help, saying the family desperately wanted their father to receive another opportunity for treatment. Reports identified the actor as being 66 years old.
Chemotherapy reportedly discontinued
One of the most troubling aspects of the family’s appeal is the reported decision by Ogogo’s doctors not to continue chemotherapy.
According to reports quoting the family, the doctors have informed them that chemotherapy will no longer be continued at this stage of his illness. However, the specific type of cancer, the extent of its spread, the treatment regimen already administered and the medical reasons for discontinuing chemotherapy have not been publicly disclosed.
These details are important because stage-four cancer is not a single disease and treatment decisions depend heavily on the type of cancer, its molecular characteristics, previous treatment, the patient’s overall condition and the goals of care.
The family has therefore appealed for credible medical advice rather than simply asking the public for money. One report said they are looking for hospitals, specialists and reputable treatment centres that may be able to assess the actor and determine whether further treatment options exist.
“Orthodox or trado” — family searches desperately for options
The family’s desperation was reflected in the appeal circulating on social media:
“Hello world. Is there any doctor out there who can help, orthodox or trado? Please help.”
The appeal has triggered an outpouring of prayers, sympathy and messages of support from Nigerians and admirers of the veteran actor.
However, in a situation as medically serious as this, cancer specialists generally recommend that treatment decisions be based on proper diagnosis and evidence-based assessment. Any alternative or traditional treatment should be disclosed to the patient’s oncology team because some herbal preparations can interact with cancer medicines or otherwise affect treatment.
Ogogo has battled serious illness before
The latest revelation is particularly poignant because Taiwo Hassan has previously spoken publicly about a serious health crisis.
In July 2025, the actor recounted a seven-year battle with chronic ulcer, saying the illness became so severe that he vomited blood for months, could barely eat and had to pray while sitting down because of his physical weakness.
He said the illness began after he experienced severe chest pain while travelling to a film location. He subsequently sought medical treatment and underwent a prolonged period of illness and recovery.
That earlier health ordeal appeared to have been overcome, making the family’s latest revelation about cancer particularly distressing to his admirers.
A veteran of Yoruba cinema
Taiwo Hassan is one of the most recognisable figures in Nigeria’s Yoruba-language film industry. Born in Ilaro, Ogun State, he began his professional acting career in the early 1980s and later left his work with the Lagos State Water Corporation to pursue acting full-time.
He has built a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter and has been particularly celebrated for his commanding performances in Yoruba-language productions. The Guardian has described him as one of the most successful actors in the Yoruba-language genre of Nigerian cinema.
The name Ogogo itself is associated with his family lineage and has become inseparable from his identity in Nigerian popular culture. His career has included productions such as Owo Blow, Atitebi, Eyin Oka, Agbara Ife and several other Yoruba film classics.
A call for urgent, credible help
The news has generated concern across Nollywood and among the actor’s large following in Nigeria and abroad.
For now, the family’s message is essentially a plea for time, expertise and another chance at treatment.
They are asking anyone with genuine knowledge of reputable oncology centres, cancer specialists or appropriate treatment options to come forward.
There is, however, no publicly confirmed information at the time of this report about the exact cancer diagnosis, the hospital where Ogogo is currently receiving care, his current clinical condition or whether another treatment regimen has been recommended.
What is clear is that the actor’s family believes he needs urgent medical attention and is searching for every credible avenue that could potentially help him.
For a man who has entertained generations of Nigerians and survived serious health challenges before, the news has understandably touched many hearts.
As Nigerians pray for Taiwo Hassan “Ogogo”, the most important message now is for qualified medical professionals and reputable cancer treatment centres with relevant expertise to respond to the family’s appeal.
May God strengthen Ogogo, his children and the entire family during this difficult period, and may he receive the medical care and intervention he urgently needs.
