Funke Akindele Faces Backlash Over Birthday Celebration Hours After Ogogo’s Death
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has come under heavy criticism after sharing birthday photos just hours after the death and burial of veteran actor Olalekan Olatunbosun, popularly known as Ogogo.
Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was buried on Monday, August 24, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
The timing of Akindele’s birthday celebration has sparked a heated reaction online, with some Nigerians questioning whether she should have postponed her public celebration out of respect for the late actor.
Funke Akindele Mourned Ogogo Before Celebrating Her Birthday
Akindele had earlier expressed sadness over Ogogo’s death through her Instagram Story on Sunday, joining other members of the entertainment industry in mourning the veteran actor.
However, on Monday, the filmmaker shared fresh photos of herself as she marked her 49th birthday.
The birthday post quickly attracted attention, but not all of the reactions were celebratory. Several social media users criticised Akindele for celebrating publicly on the same day Ogogo was being buried.
Some commenters argued that, considering Ogogo’s contribution to the Yoruba film industry and his relationship with younger actors, Akindele could have delayed the public celebration until after the burial.
Nigerians Question the Timing of Her Birthday Posts
The backlash largely centred on the timing of the posts rather than Akindele’s decision to mark her birthday itself.
One social media user described the timing as inappropriate, arguing that Akindele should have allowed the industry to mourn before sharing birthday photos.
Another commenter pointed to Ogogo’s influence and connection to the older generation of Nollywood actors, questioning why the birthday celebration could not have been moved to another day.
Others, however, acknowledged that Akindele had already mourned Ogogo and argued that people grieve and handle personal occasions differently.
The controversy has therefore divided opinions, with some seeing the birthday posts as insensitive while others believe the actress was entitled to celebrate her birthday despite the unfortunate timing.
Ogogo’s Death Casts a Shadow Over Nollywood
Ogogo’s death has continued to generate reactions across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with actors, politicians and fans paying tribute to the veteran performer.
The actor was widely regarded as one of the notable figures in Yoruba-language cinema, and his passing has been described by colleagues as a major loss to Nollywood.
His death and burial coming just as Akindele marked her 49th birthday created an unusual overlap of mourning and celebration, leading to the online controversy surrounding her posts.
Despite the backlash, Akindele has not publicly indicated that she intended to disrespect Ogogo or his memory.
The actress continues to receive birthday messages from fans and colleagues, while the debate over whether she should have postponed her celebration continues to dominate conversations on social media.
