Nollywood Icon Kola Oyewo Details Difficult Health Journey

Published on April 16, 2026

Kola Oyewo prostate battle revealed as veteran Nollywood actor details illness affecting his career and recovery journey

Veteran Nollywood actor Kola Oyewo has revealed details of his painful health struggle with prostate enlargement, saying the condition has significantly limited his ability to take on demanding roles.

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Kola Oyewo, 80, disclosed his condition during a visit by fellow actor Kunle Afod to his residence, offering a candid account of his recent absence from the screen.

The actor said the illness had forced him to scale back his career, restricting him largely to minor roles.

“Before now, I could go from one location to another and play any role, but the illness has laid me back,” Kola Oyewo said.

He explained that the condition was diagnosed after he began experiencing severe symptoms, including sleepless nights and frequent urination.

The symptoms, he said, became increasingly distressing before he sought medical attention.

“I drove myself to the hospital after having sleepless nights, frequent urination and sometimes urinating on my body before I got to the toilet. After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate,” Kola Oyewo added.

Despite the challenges, Kola Oyewo expressed gratitude for his gradual recovery, describing his survival as a blessing.

He noted that while he may not return to his previous physical strength, he remains thankful for improvement in his condition.

The emotional disclosure offered a powerful glimpse into the realities faced by ageing performers, highlighting the human cost behind long-standing careers in the film industry.

Kola Oyewo rose to prominence with stage and screen performances in productions such as The Gods Are Not to Blame and Sango, earning recognition as one of Nigeria’s most respected actors.