The death scare involving legendary Nollywood actor Lere Paimo, popularly known as Baba Eda Onile Ola, on November 29 has once again triggered conversations about the rising trend of premature online obituaries for Nigerian public figures.

The rumour spread quickly after film journalist and Best of Nollywood Awards chairman, Seun Oleketuyi, announced on social media that the veteran had passed away.

His post read in part: “Chief Lere Paimo is dead… Baba survived a stroke twice. May his soul rest in peace.”

But within hours, the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) issued a strong denial, confirming Paimo was alive and in good health. The association’s national PRO, Adejonwo Femson, urged the public to verify sensitive information before circulating it.

The false alarm adds Mr Paimo to a growing list of Nigerian celebrities whose names have trended online for the wrong reasons, repeatedly declared dead while still alive. Some of the declarations surface due to ill health.

From actors to politicians and public administrators, the cycle of fake death alerts involving public figures shows no signs of slowing. The recurring events show that in the age of viral content, there is a need to verify information.

Peoples Gazette has compiled a list of celebrities rumoured to be dead but alive.

Olu Jacobs

For years, veteran actor Olu Jacobs has been the target of recurring death rumours. His wife, Joke Silva, his family, and the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria have repeatedly debunked the rumours, sometimes with a video of the actor.

Similar scares surfaced in 2020, 2021, and 2022, amplified by discussions surrounding his declining health. Silva later threatened legal action against individuals spreading false news about him.

Pete Edochie

During Christmas in 2013, social media users claimed the actor had fallen from a 50-foot mountain in Austria and died, a story he debunked humorously, noting he doesn’t fly and would never walk from Nigeria to Austria.

In 2022, fresh rumours alleged he died in an auto crash, prompting his son Uche Edochie to dismiss the claims and criticise those who had been spreading such misinformation for “over twenty years.”

Willie Obiano

Earlier in November, former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano rumours had it that he was dead. Multiple online reports claimed the former governor died in London.

However, hours later, Mr Obioano debunked the rumour in a video on social media.

“Let me assure you personally: I am alive, hale, hearty, and in excellent health.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals still find joy in spreading falsehood simply for reasons yet to be established. But we will continue to rise above such mischief,” he stated.

Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)

After a serious car accident in Delta State in 2012, rumours quickly circulated that RMD had died. He later confirmed he survived the crash along with his driver and was recovering.

Odunlade Adekola

In 2017, Yoruba actor Odunlade Adekola appealed to Nigerians to stop spreading claims of his death, saying it was the fifth time he had seen such posts about himself. He described the hoaxes as distressing and “unbearable.”

Mahmood Yakubu

In December 2024, a viral report alleged that INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu had died in London after a brief illness. His spokesperson, Rotimi Oyekanmi, issued a statement dismissing the story as baseless.

Bobrisky

In January 2020, news broke that Bobrisky, born Idris Okuneye, a popular influencer and crossdresser, was dead after a car crash. The report claimed he died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

However, hours later, Bobrisky shared a photo on social media to discredit the report.

Ibrahim Babangida

On 15 December 2019, social media was ablaze with claims that former military president Ibrahim Babangida had died. His spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, quickly refuted the rumour, saying the general was “alive and well.”

Yakubu Gowon

False reports of former head of state Yakubu Gowon’s death resurfaced in October 2023. His aide, Adeyeye Ajayi, dismissed the claims, saying Gowon was “still around and well” and “in no hurry to go anywhere.”

Oladips

In November 2023, rapper Oladipupo Oladimeji (Oladips) was declared dead by his management, only to resurface days later.

The backlash that followed was severe, with many Nigerians accusing him of orchestrating a stunt to promote his upcoming album. Oladips later claimed he was disoriented after falling ill and blamed his manager for the fiasco.

Skiibi

In 2015, Nigerian singer Abbey Toyyib Elias, popularly known as Skiibii, collapsed and was widely presumed dead, with tributes pouring in from stars like Davido and Wizkid. He later resurfaced, sparking outrage and accusations of staging the incident for publicity. The artiste returned to the music scene in 2019.

Cases where rumours preceded actual death

Mr Ibu (John Okafor)

In October 2023, misleading Facebook posts claimed comedian and actor Mr Ibu had died. At the time, he was hospitalised and seeking financial help to prevent the amputation of his leg.

He eventually passed away on 2 March 2024. AGN president Emeka Rollas confirmed he died at 62 after suffering cardiac arrest. The interval between rumour and actual death is approximately five months.

Abiola Ajimobi

Former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi was rumoured dead on June 18, 2020, while receiving treatment for COVID-19 complications. His aides, including spokesperson Bolaji Tunji, denied the reports and urged Nigerians to disregard them.

Mr Ajimobi eventually died a week later, on June 25, 2020, at 70.
Interval between rumour and actual death: seven days.

Muhammadu Buhari

Prior to his death in 2025, former President Muhammadu Buhari was on several occasions declared dead due to his health conditions and multiple trips abroad for medical treatments. Reports also said the former president was replaced with a lookalike, “Jubril,” from Sudan.

”A lot of people hoped that I died during my ill health. Some even reached out to the vice-president to consider them to be his deputy because they assumed I was dead,” Mr Buhari had stated in 2014, while he prepared for his re-election.

He died on July 13, 2025.