Nollywood mourns as veteran actor Francis Duru dies at 57

Veteran Nollywood star Francis Duru has passed away at the age of 57 following a brief illness, confirmed by his family and Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu on October 22, 2026. The Actors Guild of Nigeria president announced the news via Instagram alongside a photograph of the late actor, describing him as another great thespian lost to the industry. Duru's death arrives months after he dismissed widespread speculation regarding his health following a viral video circulated in June 2026 and refuted previous false reports of his demise. His family released a statement expressing regret over the announcement while appealing for public understanding during this painful time, noting that he had been ill only briefly before succumbing to it. In addition to breaking the news, Duru's final Instagram post from September 17, 2026 has resurfaced, where he paid tribute to mentor Olu Jacobs as an inspiration and teacher whose influence shaped his generation.