Veteran Actor Kola Oyewo’s Family Announces Three-Day Burial Rites

The family of renowned Nigerian actor, theatre scholar and traditional ruler, Chief Dr. Adekola Gabriel Oyewo, popularly known as Kola Oyewo, has announced that the veteran entertainer will be laid to rest on Friday, August 7, 2026, in Oba-Ile, Osun State, following a three-day funeral programme.

According to information released by the family, the late actor, who passed away at the age of 80, will be honoured with a series of funeral activities scheduled to take place from Wednesday, August 5, to Friday, August 7, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Bangbola Oyewo family of the Ese-Ola Royal House, Oba-Ile, the late thespian was celebrated as a devoted father, grandfather, traditional ruler and one of Nigeria’s most respected theatre veterans whose influence transcended the stage, television and academia.

The funeral arrangements, coordinated by the Balogun Oyekola Oyewo Memorial Committee, indicate that the activities will begin with a wake-keep and service of songs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Igboya, Ile-Ife, on Wednesday, August 5.

A commendation mass is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at the same church, while an artistes’ night featuring tributes and cultural performances will later hold at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in honour of the late theatre icon.

The programme also includes an exhibition showcasing Oyewo’s photographs and notable works at the Pit Theatre, African Studies Building, Obafemi Awolowo University. The exhibition will run from Thursday, August 6, through Friday, August 7, allowing admirers and colleagues to celebrate his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s theatre industry.

On the final day of the funeral rites, the cortege will depart the late actor’s residence at Ese Ola’s Compound, Oba-Ile, for a requiem mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oba-Ile. Interment is expected to take place at 12:45 p.m. at Labaluyegbe Villa, Oba-Ile, in a private ceremony reserved for family members and close associates. A reception for invited guests will follow at Aderonmu Grammar School Field, Oba-Ile.

Beyond his distinguished career as an actor, Oyewo served as the Balogun of Oba-Ile and was an Associate Professor of Drama, earning widespread recognition for his outstanding contributions to theatre arts, education and cultural preservation in Nigeria. Throughout his decades-long career, he mentored generations of actors, playwrights and scholars, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the country’s creative industry. His passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s theatre community, where he remained a revered figure and source of inspiration.