Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, has died at the age of 66.
News of his death was confirmed on Tuesday by Seun Oloketuyi, founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards, in an Instagram post.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Pastor Taiwo Adeshina, a beloved Nollywood legend,” Oloketuyi wrote.
“Your remarkable contributions to the Yoruba movie industry and the lives you touched will never be forgotten. May God grant you eternal rest and comfort your family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace, legend.”
The post drew an outpouring of condolences from actors, directors, fans, and fellow clergy who remembered him as both a gifted performer and a man of faith.
Born Taiwo Adeshina, the actor adopted the screen name “Elegbeje Ado,” a name that became familiar to millions of Yoruba movie viewers across Nigeria and in the diaspora.
He was known for his distinctive delivery, comic timing, and ability to portray authoritative, spiritual, and sometimes stern characters. Over a career spanning decades, he appeared in numerous Yoruba-language films that became staples of home video culture in the 1990s and 2000s.
Beyond acting, Adeshina was also a pastor. He balanced his work on screen with ministry, and many colleagues said his faith informed the way he carried himself in the industry. He was often described as disciplined, respectful, and committed to mentoring younger actors.
Elegbeje Ado came up at a time when Yoruba cinema was expanding rapidly on VHS and later DVD. The genre produced its own stars, storytelling style, and audience, separate from but connected to English-language Nollywood.
Actors like Adeshina helped define that era with films that mixed drama, culture, proverbs, and moral lessons. His roles often reflected everyday Nigerian life, community values, and spiritual themes, which resonated with viewers.
While he may not have sought the same level of mainstream celebrity as some of his contemporaries, his face and voice were instantly recognizable to fans of Yoruba movies. Directors frequently cast him when they needed a character who could command a scene with gravitas or humor
Tributes began pouring in shortly after the announcement. Fellow actors recalled working with him on set, noting his professionalism and willingness to guide new talent.
Many emphasized the dual nature of his life: as an entertainer who made people laugh and think, and as a pastor who counseled and prayed with those around him.
Fans on social media shared clips of his most memorable scenes, with comments reflecting how his performances were part of their childhood and family movie nights.According to reports from close associates, Adeshina had been ill for only a short time before his death on June 29. Details about the specific illness have not been made public by the family.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. It is expected that both the church community and the Yoruba film industry will hold services and tributes in his honor.
Elegbeje Ado’s death adds to the list of veteran Yoruba actors the industry has lost in recent years. His passing is a reminder of the generation that built the foundation for today’s Nollywood, often working with limited budgets but maximum creativity and audience loyalty.
Colleagues say he took pride in representing Yoruba culture on screen without compromising his values as a Christian minister. That balance earned him respect across different circles.
“Elegbeje Ado was a man of many parts,” one actor said. “On screen he could be tough or funny. Off screen, he was a pastor, a father figure, and a friend.
Though he kept a relatively private life compared to some stars, Adeshina leaves behind a body of work that continues to circulate on TV, YouTube, and DVD platforms. For many viewers, his films remain a reference point for classic Yoruba storytelling.
He also leaves behind students of his craft, younger actors who say they learned patience, script discipline, and set etiquette from watching him work.
As a pastor, he leaves a congregation and community who will remember him for his sermons, prayers, and service.
The description used by Seun Oloketuyi, “Nollywood legend,” captures how many in the industry see him. Not every legend is a constant headline maker. Some, like Elegbeje Ado, build a legacy through consistency, craft, and character.His death at 66, after a brief illness, has cut short a life that still had more to offer both on screen and in ministry.