‘Things Fall Apart’ actor Fabian Adibe is dead

Nigeria’s movie industry has lost another legend. Veteran actor Fabian Adibe, famed for his role in the NTA classic adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, is dead. He was 82.

Adibe passed away peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday. His death was confirmed by Best of Nollywood CEO, Seun Oloketuyi, who announced on social media: “Things Fall Apart actor, Fabian Adibe, is dead. Died 2:30 am this morning.”

The veteran, who played Ogbuefi Uzowulu alongside Pete Edochie in the 1987 TV series, was part of Nigeria’s first Commonwealth Art Festival team in 1965 and went on to feature in over 300 films.

From Nollywood staples like Slave Warrior (2012) and White Kingdom 2 (2014) to international projects such as Soweto and Hollywood’s Mr. Johnson, Adibe carved a career that spanned decades and inspired generations.

Born December 1, 1943, Adibe was a staff of the Nigerian Television Authority until 1984. He later became one of Nollywood’s respected elders, admired for his calm charisma and powerful screen presence.

Tributes have poured in across social media, with fans and colleagues describing him as a “gentle soul” who helped lay the foundation of today’s Nollywood.