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Nigeria’s entertainment industry is in mourning following the death of veteran filmmaker, music producer, and playwright Obafemi “Femi” Lasode. The creative icon passed away in the early hours of Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 69, after battling a long-term illness.
His death was confirmed by renowned flutist and former Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) president, Tee Mac Omatshola, who disclosed that he received the sad news from a family member.
Femi Lasode was a towering figure in Nigerian media and entertainment, widely celebrated for his visionary work and cultural impact.
Perhaps best known for directing the 1997 epic film Sango, Lasode's name became etched in the annals of Nollywood history. Sango, which dramatized the life and legend of the Yoruba deity, gained international recognition when it opened the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival in 2002. The film remains a cultural milestone and a reference point in Nigerian historical cinema.
Beyond filmmaking, Lasode was also the founder of Afrika ’n Vogue/Even-Ezra Studios, one of the pioneering multimedia production companies in Nigeria. Launched in the 1990s, the studio was instrumental in setting new standards in music and film production in West Africa, nurturing talent, and promoting African heritage through storytelling and sound.
Born in Port Harcourt and originally from Ogun State, Lasode was not only a creative powerhouse but also an academic and social thinker. He held a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Communication Arts from Brooklyn College, City University of New York.
His educational background, combined with his cultural passion, allowed him to blend technical knowledge with creative flair a trait that distinguished his works across multiple platforms.
Lasode was also a respected songwriter and social commentator, unafraid to speak out on issues affecting the arts and Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. His voice resonated not just through his films and music, but through public engagements and written contributions that critiqued, advised, and inspired.
As tributes pour in across social media, many industry colleagues and fans are celebrating his contributions and mourning the loss of a cultural legend.
Artists, producers, and actors alike have taken to their platforms to share heartfelt messages, recalling how his work shaped their careers or influenced the broader Nollywood narrative.
His passing follows a recent wave of losses in the Nigerian entertainment community, with many noting that Lasode’s death marks the end of an era defined by artistic authenticity and bold cultural expression. He is remembered not only for his creativity and innovation but also for his unwavering dedication to African heritage.
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