Funke Akindele
Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has come under criticism after celebrating her 49th birthday shortly after the death and burial of Nigerian veteran actor, Ogogo.
Ogogo reportedly died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was buried on Monday, August 24, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Funke had earlier expressed her condolences following Ogogo’s death. However, she later shared photos of herself on social media to mark her birthday.
Her birthday posts however attracted mixed reactions, with some Nigerians accusing her of being insensitive because they coincided with Ogogo’s burial.
Some critics argued that Funke Akindele should have postponed her public birthday celebration to honour the late actor, whom they said had played a role in her career.
Others, however, pointed out that she had already mourned Ogogo publicly and that celebrating her birthday did not necessarily mean she was disrespecting his memory.
The backlash has since been attracting attention on social media over whether public figures should suspend personal celebrations following the death of a colleague or industry veteran.