Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of popular Yoruba film actress, Omotola Odunsi, fondly known as Motola the Actor.
Details surrounding her death remain unclear as of the time of filing this report, but her passing was confirmed by close colleagues and industry veterans on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Actor Akinola ‘Segbowe’ Akano broke the news in a touching post on Instagram, sharing screenshots of their last conversation, in which the actress had reassured him she was recovering.
“Motola! Strange but I tried checking on you at the wee hours of that morning. You said you were FINE & BACK! This is a rude shock, Omotola. Journey well, sister. God be with your family,” Akano wrote.
Renowned Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola, under whose mentorship Odunsi trained, also confirmed the tragic development.
“Jesus Christ. RIP Omotola,” he posted simply.
Before launching her full-time acting career in 2019, Odunsi worked as a credit officer in a state-owned bank. She went on to become a familiar face in Yoruba-language films, with credits in Ajanaku, Ogo Oluwa, Darkness, Dagogo, Ariran, Doctor Adunni, Officer Adaeze, President Kuti, and Lisabi: The Uprising, among others.
