Veteran actor Kola Oyewo’s family announce funeral rites

Veteran Nollywood actor and theatre academic Gabriel Adekola Benedict Oyewo, widely known as Kola Oyewo, has died at the age of 80, according to his family. The announcement came alongside the release of funeral arrangements, which will take place over three days starting on 5 August in Ile-Ife and Oba-Ile, Osun State. The family confirmed the dates following his death on 12 June. The funeral rites will begin on Wednesday, 5 August, with a wake-keep and service of songs at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife. On Thursday, 6 August, a commendation mass will be held at the same location. The day will also feature an artistes’ night, during which tributes and cultural performances will honor the late actor. An exhibition highlighting Oyewo's extensive body of work and photographs will open at The Pit Theatre, located within the African Studies Building of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. The exhibition will run through to Friday. Friday, 7 August, will mark the culmination of the funeral activities. A motorcade procession will transport mourners to the actor’s hometown of Oba-Ile. There, a lying-in-state ceremony will follow, succeeded by a requiem mass and burial. A reception for guests will be held at the Aderounmu Grammar School Field in Oba-Ile. Kola Oyewo was born on 26 March 1946 and pursued his education at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University. He obtained certificates in Dramatic Arts and Yoruba Oral Literature before earning a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts in 1995. His academic credentials continued to grow, culminating in a master’s degree and a PhD in Drama from the University of Ibadan. His professional journey began in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group, where he made his debut in Orogun Adedigba. After serving with the group for nine years, he joined the University of Ife Theatre, working closely with the late playwright Ola Rotimi. Oyewo gained widespread acclaim for his role as Odewale in Rotimi’s classic play The Gods Are Not to Blame. Throughout his career, Oyewo appeared in numerous acclaimed productions, including Saworoide, Koseegbe, Sango, O Le Ku, Efunsetan Aniwura, Yemoja, Omo University, Oosa Aafin, and Ogeere. His contributions extended beyond acting into academia, where he became a respected educator. In 1996, Oyewo joined the faculty at Obafemi Awolowo University, teaching drama until his retirement in 2011. He later held leadership positions, serving as Head of the Department of Dramatic Arts at Redeemer’s University and lecturing in Performing Arts at Elizade University. As a prominent cultural figure, he held the title of Balogun of Oba-Ile and was a passionate advocate for Yoruba culture and the performing arts. In a statement, the family described Oyewo as “a respected community leader, accomplished professional, devoted family man, and distinguished traditional title holder, whose life was defined by service, integrity, and commitment to the development of his people.” They thanked individuals and organizations that supported them during this time, including Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and professional bodies such as the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN).