Veteran Nollywood actor Fabian Adibe, best known for his role in the classic TV series Things Fall Apart, has passed away.
The legendary Adibe, who marked his 80th birthday in February 2025, died peacefully at about 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. His family confirmed the news, saying they are both mourning his loss and celebrating the life he lived.
Adibe rose to fame for his remarkable portrayal in the television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. His calm demeanor, commanding presence, and powerful performances earned him admiration across generations.
He represented Nigeria at the first Commonwealth Art Festival in 1965 and officially began his acting career in 1987 with Things Fall Apart, where he played the role of Ogbuefi Uzowulu alongside Pete Edochie. His co-stars in the series, Justus Esiri and Sam Loco Efe, have also passed on.
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Before his death, Adibe had long stepped away from Nollywood. In an interview with Nigerian travel journalist Chinelo Okafor, he revealed he quit the industry because of what was described to him as “packaging.” He recounted being told that “packaging” meant receiving three scripts at once, a practice he disagreed with.
Over the course of his career, Adibe featured in more than 300 films, including Slave Warrior (2012), White Kingdom 2 (2014), and Father’s (2014). He also acted in international productions such as Soweto, which highlighted the South African struggle, and the Hollywood film Mr. Johnson.
Outside the screen, Adibe worked with the Nigerian Television Authority until his retrenchment on May 25, 1984.
Tributes are already pouring in from colleagues, fans, and industry stakeholders, all honoring the memory of a true legend whose contributions to African cinema will never be forgotten.
