Nollywood Mourns as Actor CJay Nwoks Dies in Lagos Hospital

Nollywood is mourning the death of actor Chijioke Nwokafor, popularly known as CJay Nwoks, who died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at a hospital in the Badore area of Lagos State.
The hospital where he died has not been publicly named.

News of his death was first made public by actress and filmmaker Nkechi Blessing, who had recently cast him in the lead role of her new film. She announced his passing in an emotional video posted on her Instagram page, where she was visibly in tears.

Speaking to her followers, Nkechi explained that it was difficult for her to make the video, which was also intended to explain why her new movie, scheduled for release at 5 p.m. that day, would no longer be released as planned.

“It took me a lot to do this video because we won’t be dropping the movie again by 5 pm,” she said. “Right now, I’m in the hospital in Badore. I just lost CJay. CJay is dead. I don’t even know where to start.”

Her statement, delivered amid sobs, suggested that she was at the hospital when the actor passed away, although she did not disclose how long he had been admitted or the circumstances that led to his hospitalisation.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of CJay Nwoks’ death remained unclear. Neither his family nor representatives had issued an official statement, while details about his health before his death had not been made public. The circumstances surrounding his death could not be independently confirmed.

The suspension of the film’s release highlights the personal and professional impact of the loss. CJay had been trusted with the lead role in Nkechi Blessing’s latest project, and it remains unclear whether the film will eventually be released as a tribute or shelved indefinitely.

Tributes are expected from colleagues, fans and industry associations as news of the actor’s death spreads across social media.

Nollywood has in recent years been affected by the sudden deaths of several practitioners, prompting renewed calls for better healthcare support and welfare systems for people in the entertainment industry.

Details regarding funeral arrangements and an official statement from the family are yet to be released. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.