Nollywood mourns veteran actor and lecturer Patrick Okoye
The Nigerian film industry has been plunged into grief following the death of veteran Nollywood actor Patrick Okoye, popularly known as Energy, whose passing was announced on Thursday morning, May 28, 2026.
The news first emerged on the late actor’s official Instagram page around 11 a.m., where a photograph of Okoye was shared alongside a brief but deeply felt caption: “Rest in peace, legend.” The post was met with an immediate outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues who flooded the comment section in shock and sorrow.
A subsequent statement attributed to the Head of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Nkemakonam Aniukwu, confirmed that the institution had received the news with profound sadness. The department described Okoye — who had been a lecturer there — as a vibrant soul, a respected figure in Nollywood, and an exceptional teacher whose influence extended well beyond the lecture hall.
Away from the screen, Okoye was remembered as someone who dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of theatre and film talent. Students described him as approachable, passionate, and deeply invested in their growth — qualities that made him far more than a conventional academic to those who passed through his classroom.
The statement noted that his death had left a significant void among colleagues, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him, with prayers extended to his family and loved ones.
His passing comes just weeks after fellow Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo also died following a period of ill health, marking a difficult season of loss for the Nigerian film industry.
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