Nollywood actor Francis Duru don die at 57. Di President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, confirm di death for one post, and di founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, also announce am. Business Post report say Yakubu write for Facebook early Friday say: ‘Another great thespian is gone. Rest in peace, Francis Duru.’ Oloketuyi own post read: ‘Francis Duru is dead. Details later.’
YEN.com.gh report name di AGN National President as Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu and say he break di news on him personal Instagram page on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Di family also confirm di death for one statement on Duru verified Instagram page. Dem tok say di actor pass after a brief illness. ‘We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness. We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,’ di statement read.
Duru no be small name for di Nigerian film industry. He study Theatre Arts for University of Port Harcourt and he bin dey active since 1989. He feature for several movies and many people sabi am as one actor wey dey dependable and versatile. For 2010, dem appoint am interim president of AGN. He get four children and dem born am on July 27, 1969.
Before him death, Duru bin debunk rumours say he dey battle terminal illness. Di talk start after one viral video and fans show worry over how he take appear for one movie location for June 2026. He also bin debunk false reports of him death in recent years. Two years ago, he lose him 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi. He announce di boy death for Instagram and write: ‘My champ! My lion, you fought like a lion. If this is the way he wants it, so be it. I still judge you faithful.’ Later, he tok say di pain dey, but he move on. ‘I have never been quiet. The Saturday they buried my son, on Sunday I was in church doing what? Doing what I am supposed to do. Yes, trauma and all that stuff have been there, but I have never been quiet. It is not only movies I do; I also do theatre, I also do consultancy in different areas, and then I go to school,’ he talk.
Fans and fellow creatives don pour condolences across social media after di news break. Di death of Duru add to di grief wey di Nigerian entertainment industry don see with di loss of several beloved performers in recent years.
