Solomon Akiyesi Death: Nollywood Actor Complained of Chest Pain, Died in His Sleep Hours Later

Veteran Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi, a familiar face in over 100 Nigerian films, died in his sleep in Abuja on Sunday, April 27, 2026, hours after complaining of chest pain and receiving treatment at a hospital. The Nigerian film industry woke up Monday to the devastating news, and tributes have not stopped pouring in since.

What Happened the Night Solomon Akiyesi Died

The events of that final night paint a heartbreaking picture. Akiyesi complained of chest pain the night before his death and was taken to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with an ulcer and gave him medication. He returned home, went to sleep, and did not wake up the following morning.

Here is the detail that makes this even harder to process. His wife tried to wake him around 4 a.m., but he did not respond. What seemed like a treatable condition the night before had, by early morning, turned into an irreversible loss.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Abubakar Yakubu, confirmed the actor's death on Monday, stating clearly: "Yes, it is true. He died yesterday. Slept and did not wake up. We await further details from the family. His body is in the morgue in Abuja, where the sad incident happened."

The Official Confirmation and AGN's Response

The AGN wasted no time in publicly acknowledging one of its own. Yakubu said the guild is still expecting more information from the deceased's family regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. In the meantime, the guild has made its grief public and its solidarity clear.

The AGN president described the actor's death as a major loss to the industry, adding that the guild is mourning with his family. That is not just protocol. For an actor who gave over two decades of his life to Nollywood, it is a fitting acknowledgment of a career that genuinely mattered.

Akiyesi's remains have been deposited at a mortuary in Abuja while the guild awaits further details from the family. As of the time of this report, no burial arrangements have been officially announced.

Who Was Solomon Akiyesi: A Career Built on Over 100 Films

Akiyesi was born and raised in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State. He had his primary and secondary education in his hometown before enrolling at the University of Ibadan for his tertiary education.

Akiyesi entered Nollywood in the late 1990s and, over a career spanning more than two decades, built a reputation as a reliable character actor and producer, appearing in over 100 films. That is not a small number. That is a working actor who showed up, film after film, decade after decade.

His notable credits include "Deadly Affair" (1995), "Olaedo the Fisher Girl" 2 (2015), "Gen Z Wife" (2024), "Kiss My Pain," and "Heart of a Saint." His final screen credit, "Accidentally Us" (2025), proves he was still actively working right up until the end.

His Legacy Beyond Acting: Producer, Director, and Community Leader

Solomon Akiyesi was never just an actor. He was a builder of things. Beyond acting, he worked as a director and entrepreneur, contributing to the steady growth of Nollywood and mentoring younger talents within the industry.

That mentorship mattered. He served on the Board of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and was the President of the National Association of Ososo Creatives, a role that tied his professional identity to his hometown roots in Edo State.

He was not simply a product of Nollywood. He was one of the people who helped shape it from behind the scenes, nurturing the next generation of Nigerian storytellers along the way.

Nollywood Colleagues React as Tributes Flood Social Media

The response from the industry has been immediate and emotional. Colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute, describing Akiyesi as a versatile actor whose performances left a lasting impression.

Members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria have since reacted, with both former and current leaders expressing grief and extending condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. The outpouring is not just ceremonial. It reflects genuine affection for a man who was respected across generations in the industry.

His wife reportedly confirmed the sad news, and tributes continue pouring in across the entertainment industry as fans and fellow creatives come to terms with the sudden nature of his passing.

A Pattern of Loss: What This Means for Nollywood Veteran Welfare

This is the part of the story that demands a harder conversation. Solomon Akiyesi's death is not an isolated tragedy. His passing adds to a growing list of losses within Nollywood, renewing conversations about the welfare and legacy of veteran actors who helped shape the industry into a global force.

The chest pain he experienced the night before his death was treated as an ulcer and managed with medication. He was sent home. And then he did not wake up. That timeline raises questions the industry cannot afford to ignore: Are veteran actors getting adequate and thorough medical care? Are the warning signs being taken seriously enough?

What Comes Next for the Family and the Industry

Right now, the immediate focus is on family. The guild is still awaiting further details surrounding the circumstances of the actor's death from his family. The Akiyesi family has not yet released burial arrangements, and the industry is collectively holding its breath for those details.

What is already clear is the size of the space Solomon Akiyesi leaves behind. More than 100 films. Two decades of consistent work. A leadership role in both the AGN and his home community. A final film released just last year. This was a man who had no intention of slowing down.

And yet, here we are. Nollywood is mourning again, and this time the grief carries an urgency that goes beyond a single life lost.