Legendary Nigerian actor Fabian Adibe, celebrated for his unforgettable role in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s timeless novel, Things Fall Apart, has passed away.
The revered thespian, who marked his 82nd birthday in February 2025, died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday.
His death was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood (BON), Seun Oloketuyi, who announced on social media: “‘Things Fall Apart’ actor, Fabian Adibe, is dead. Died 2:30 am this morning.”
Adibe rose to fame for his iconic portrayal of Ogbuefi Uzowulu in Things Fall Apart, acting alongside Pete Edochie, Justus Esiri, and Sam Loco Efe—three other greats of Nigerian cinema who have also since passed on. His calm demeanor, commanding presence, and powerful delivery endeared him to millions of viewers across generations.
Born on December 1, 1943, Adibe was part of Nigeria’s golden generation of actors who laid the foundation for Nollywood. His career stretched back decades, beginning in theatre and television before transitioning into mainstream film. In 1965, he represented Nigeria at the country’s first-ever Commonwealth Art Festival. By 1987, his career took a remarkable leap with his participation in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, which cemented his place in the history of Nigerian entertainment.
Over the years, he appeared in more than 300 films, including Slave Warrior (2012), White Kingdom 2 (2014), and Father’s (2014), among others. His work extended beyond Nollywood, as he featured in international productions such as Soweto, a film about South Africa’s liberation struggle, and the Hollywood movie Mr. Johnson.
Before fully venturing into acting, Adibe was a staff member of the Nigerian Television Authority until he was retrenched on May 25, 1984. Despite the setback, he went on to build a legendary career that would inspire countless actors and filmmakers.
Tributes have since poured in on social media, with fans and colleagues describing him as a “gentle soul” and a “pillar of Nollywood.”
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