Nollywood actor Odira Nwobu dies in South Africa.

His sudden death has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, leading to an immense outpouring of grief online. Fans and colleagues are mourning the Nollywood star, celebrated for his comedic talent and youthful appearance, who graced over 60 films throughout his remarkable career.

While Nwobu's family has not yet released a public statement, the exact cause of his death on Monday remains unclear. His lawyer, Chukwujiekwu Chukwudi, indicated that a coroner's report is anticipated soon.

Upsetting videos, purportedly showing the actor's lifeless body, regrettably began circulating online earlier this week. According to Mr. Chukwudi, speaking to the BBC's Igbo service, an ambulance was dispatched to Nwobu's hotel in Benoni, a town close to Johannesburg, after he was found in his room "gasping for breath." The lawyer explained that Nwobu was alone when discovered, having returned earlier that evening from a nightclub where he had been with colleagues. Despite paramedics' efforts to revive him using a defibrillator, he tragically passed away at the scene, unable to be transported to a hospital.

Born in Nigeria's southeastern Enugu state in 1982, Odira Nwobu launched his acting career right after secondary school, securing his first professional role in the film 'Joseph the Dreamer'. Although he enjoyed a prolific career, Nwobu openly shared with BBC News Igbo in 2021 his challenges with being typecast. This prompted him to explore content creation, seeking greater creative freedom. His decision paid off, as he quickly garnered hundreds of thousands of followers across his TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube platforms.

At the time of his passing, Nwobu was in South Africa alongside other social media influencers. They were there to promote a real estate company owned by a Nigerian, as confirmed by Emeka Rollas, president of the Actors' Guild of Nigeria. His lawyer was also part of the trip, serving as the legal adviser for the Nigerian firm that arranged the visit. Mr. Chukwudi recounted, "We were shocked to receive calls from Nigeria confirming the passing away of the young man, while we were still debating how to break the news to his family."

Just this past July, Nwobu had survived a road accident, an incident that, at the time, sadly led to false rumors of his death. Reports indicate that the actor was not married and leaves behind no children.