Tragedy Hits Nollywood As Steve Echendu D!es After Battling Undisclosed Illness

Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the reported death of veteran Nigerian actor, movie producer and director Steve Echendu.

Echendu’s death was announced by his colleague, Wisdom Nwankwo, in a Facebook post in which he expressed deep sadness over losing two friends associated with the Nigerian film industry within five days.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Echendu reportedly died after battling an undisclosed illness. His passing comes shortly after the death of another prominent figure in the entertainment industry, Francis Duru.

In his emotional tribute, Nwankwo lamented the loss of Echendu and media personality Austinfair Nwaulu, who reportedly died on Saturday and was buried on Tuesday.

The actor described both men as individuals who contributed to the growth of Nollywood, recalling their involvement in the industry during its earlier years.

Nwankwo also used the occasion to encourage people to check on friends and acquaintances, particularly those who regularly engage with them online but suddenly become inactive.

Expressing his grief over Echendu’s death, he noted that the two had been part of the people who worked to shape the Nigerian movie industry. He added that losing both friends within such a short period was deeply painful and served as a reminder of life’s uncertainty.

Echendu was known for his contributions to Nollywood as an actor, producer and director. His film credits include Knockout Blessing (2018), Fury (2019) and Infant at Heart (2024).

His reported passing has added to the recent wave of bereavements in the Nigerian entertainment industry, with colleagues and admirers mourning the loss of a filmmaker who played a role in the development of Nollywood.