Nollywood in Mourning: Ibrahim Chatta and Peju Ogunmola Both Lose Sons

The Nollywood film industry has been plunged into sorrow following the heartbreaking news that veteran actor Ibrahim Chatta is mourning the loss of his son. The 54-year-old actor shared the devastating news on his Instagram page on Saturday, September 6, 2025, though he did not disclose details surrounding his son’s passing.

Accompanying a photo of his late son, Chatta wrote poignantly: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on, Dear son, champ.” The post saw an outpouring of condolences and support from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers across social media.

This most recent tragedy adds to the personal losses Ibrahim Chatta has endured. Earlier this year in June, he recounted the painful loss of his first child, a daughter, whose death was attributed to financial hardship and inadequate medical care. The actor revealed in a previous interview that he had to bury his infant daughter in an old wooden Coca-Cola crate due to inability to afford a proper coffin, a memory that highlights the stark challenges he faced as a parent years ago.

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The news of Chatta’s son’s death comes on the heels of another stunning loss in the Nollywood community: veteran actress Peju Ogunmola recently lost her only son, Ayomikun Omobolanle, who died at the age of 24 in Ibadan after a brief illness. While initial rumors speculated an accident, Ogunmola’s family swiftly dispelled such claims, affirming that Ayomikun received good medical care but succumbed to his illness. His passing has profoundly affected the entertainment industry, which has rallied around Ogunmola and her family with prayers and condolences.

Together, the twin tragedies of Ibrahim Chatta and Peju Ogunmola’s sons underscore a somber period for the Yoruba film fraternity and Nollywood at large. Fellow actors, industry stakeholders, and fans have all expressed shock and sorrow over the losses, mourning the young lives cut short and offering spiritual support to the grieving families.

These compounded losses serve as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities even celebrated figures endure, far from the spotlight of glamour and fame. Nollywood now collectively mourns, standing in solidarity with Chatta, Ogunmola, and their families in these difficult times.