Cjay Has Died, Hours Before His New Film Was Due Out
Lagos · Thursday 1 October 2026
Nollywood actor Chijioke Nwokafor, known as Cjay, died on Wednesday 30 September at a hospital in the Badore area of Lagos. The news was announced by the actress and producer Nkechi Blessing, who had cast him as the lead in her new film, Egusi Ogbono, and cancelled its release that afternoon.
"I spoke to you at 8 a.m."
Blessing wrote that she had spoken to him that morning, and that a few hours later he was gone. The film had been due out at 5pm the same day. No cause of death has been made public, and the family has not announced funeral arrangements.
| Cjay | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Chijioke Nwokafor |
| Began acting | 2021 |
| Known for | Larry Cold, Mum Overnight, A Day to My Wedding, The Lies She Tell |
| Last lead role | Egusi Ogbono, unreleased |
Five years in the industry, and on the edge of his biggest role.
Two Nollywood deaths in a fortnight: one at 84 after six decades, one at the very start.
What happens to the film
That is Blessing's decision and it can wait. Releasing a lead actor's final work can be a tribute or it can feel like an exploitation of grief, and the difference is mostly about timing and the family's wishes. For now the cancellation was the right call.
Reporting: Premium Times, Daily Post, Legit.ng and Tribune Online.
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