# Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu dies at 71

> Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu dies at 71 after prolonged illness.
- Title: Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu dies at 71
- Summary: Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu dies at 71 after prolonged illness.
- Keywords: diewait ikpechukwu, nollywood, veteran actor, death, nigerian film industry, actors guild of nigeria, national president, Premium Times Nigeria
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/nollywood/923421-veteran-nollywood-actor-diewait-ikpechukwu-dies-at-71.html
- Author: Ozaveshe Precious
- Published: 2026-11-07T10:16:26+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: diewait ikpechukwu, nollywood, veteran actor, death, nigerian film industry, actors guild of nigeria, national president, news, politics
## Death confirmation
Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu died at age 71 after a prolonged illness.
## Family and official confirmation
His death was confirmed on Friday by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abubakar Yakubu.
## Social media tribute
Mr Yakubu announced the development in an Instagram post, paying tribute to the deceased actor.

> Another legend bows out! RIP, Diewait Ikpechukwu
## Circumstances of death
Although the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, reports said he had been ill for some time.
## Impact on Nollywood
Ikpechukwu’s death marks another loss for Nollywood, particularly among the generation of actors whose performances helped shape the Nigerian film industry.
## Football background
Before becoming an actor, Ikpechukwu had a background in football and broadcasting.
## Football career highlights
He was reportedly one of the outstanding right-wingers in the 1970s and received an invitation to the Green Eagles, Nigeria’s former national football team.
## Football achievements
In a 2021 interview with The Next Edition, the actor recalled playing for Blue Diamonds of Nsukka and Kaduna Rocks.
## Education and early career
Ikpechukwu attended Comprehensive High School in Awo-Omamma, Imo State, before attending Kaduna State Polytechnic, where he earned a Higher National Diploma in Marketing.
## Career transition
He subsequently completed his National Youth Service Corps programme at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and earned a postgraduate diploma in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
## Early acting career
His film credits include The August Meeting, The Guilty, The Guilty 2, Royal Palace, Across the River, Python King, Omera, A Dance to Forget, Emecheta, Nwando and Ìjé Love.
## Acting roles
In Ìjé Love (2022), he portrayed King Obumneme, while his other performances included roles in The Living Deity, African Gods, Hunter’s Son and Ijeuwa.
## AGN leadership
Ikpechukwu was actively involved in the Actors Guild of Nigeria, serving as the pioneer chairman of its Enugu State chapter.
## Mentorship role
During his tenure, he organised seminars and encouraged aspiring actors to understand the different professional opportunities available in filmmaking beyond appearing on screen.
## Key takeaway

Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu died at age 71 following a prolonged illness, confirmed by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria.