Kola Oyewo: Family Announces Three-day Burial Rites For Veteran Actor

The remains of renowned Nigerian actor and theatre scholar, Chief Dr Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo, will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Osun State.

This was disclosed in a funeral programme released by his family.

Oyewo, who died at the age of 80, was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost theatre practitioners, with a career spanning stage, television and academia.

In a funeral announcement, the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, described the late actor as “a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler, and a veteran of the Nigerian theatre.”

NEWSNGR reports that the burial programme, issued by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, showed that the three-day funeral rites would run from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.

“With gratitude to God for a life of purpose, honour and enduring impact, the entire Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, announces the passing of our beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, esteemed traditional ruler and veteran of the Nigerian theatre,” the family said in the statement quoted by Newspeak on Saturday.

The late actor was also the Balogun of Oba-Ile in Osun State and an Associate Professor of Drama.

According to the programme, activities for the burial rites will begin on Wednesday, August 5, with a wake-keep and service of songs at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife.

On Thursday, August 6, a commendation mass will be held at the same church.

Later that day, an artistes’ night featuring tributes and cultural performances will take place at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

As part of the funeral events, an exhibition of Oyewo’s works and photographs will be held at the Pit Theatre in the African Studies Building at Obafemi Awolowo University.

The exhibition will begin on Thursday, August 6, and continue till Friday, August 7.

The funeral cortege is expected to leave the late actor’s residence at Ese Ola’s Compound, Oba-Ile, on Friday morning for a requiem mass at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile.

Interment will follow at 12:45 p.m. at Labaluyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, in a ceremony restricted to family members and close associates.

A reception for guests will thereafter be held at Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.

Oyewo earned widespread recognition for his contributions to the growth of theatre arts in Nigeria.

He inspired generations of actors, playwrights and scholars through his work in performance, teaching and cultural preservation.

His death marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s theatre community, where he remained a respected voice and mentor for decades.