Tribute to Solomon Akiyesi: A 30-Year Career, a Loving Family, and a Sudden Goodbye

Tribute to Solomon Akiyesi: A 30-Year Career, a Loving Family, and a Sudden Goodbye.

The Nollywood industry woke up to a sad news of veteran actor Solomon Akiyesi passing away. He died in his sleep on Sunday, April 26, 2026. He was 66 years old.

Current Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Yakub Abubakar, and former president, Dr. Emeka Rollas-Ejezie, both confirmed the news in phone conversations with the press. The actor’s wife, Pretty Abidor, also confirmed that her husband was gone.

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What Happened That Night

According to family sources, Akiyesi complained of serious chest pains on the Saturday evening before his death. His family rushed him to a medical facility in Abuja, where he lives. Doctors initially thought it might be an ulcer. He received some treatment and was allowed to go back home.

That was the last time he would be seen alive.

His wife reportedly tried to wake him around 4:00 am on Sunday morning. When he did not respond, she realised something was terribly wrong. By the time help arrived, it was too late. His body has since been moved to a mortuary in Abuja, where the family is waiting for funeral arrangements to be announced.

A Life Before the Cameras

Solomon Akiyesi was not just any actor. He was a native of Ososo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State. Before he ever stepped in front of a camera, he was a graduate of the University of Ibadan. That alone set him apart in an industry where many came in through other paths.

He started acting in the mid-1990s. For over 30 years, he kept working. He appeared in more than 100 films. Some of his best-known movies include “Deadly Affair” (1995), “Heart of a Saint,” “Pretty Liars,” and as recently as 2024, “Gen Z Wife.” That last film showed that even in his 60s, he was still finding roles and still connecting with audiences.

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At the time of his death, he was serving as the President of the National Association of Ososo Creatives. He was also a member of the AGN’s National Board. He was not just an actor. He was a leader within his community of fellow creatives.

Family and the Harder Chapters

He leaves behind his wife and children. One of his daughters was the one who gave the AGN details of his final hours. That must have been a very hard thing to do.

But no tribute to Solomon Akiyesi is complete without mentioning that his life was not always smooth. Back in 2013, he was involved in a public marital dispute. His then-wife, Lilian, who was eight months pregnant at the time, reportedly interrupted his attempt to marry another woman. That story made the rounds in newspapers and blogs for weeks. It was a difficult period for him and his family.

Life moved on. He remarried, and by all accounts, he found peace with Pretty Abidor, who stayed by his side until the very end.

Money and Legacy

People often ask about net worth when a famous person dies. The truth is, no official numbers were ever made public for Solomon Akiyesi. But anyone who follows Nollywood knows he was considered an A-list character actor. He worked steadily for three decades. He was not the richest man in the industry, but he was respected. That respect is worth more than any dollar amount.

What Colleagues Are Saying

The AGN President, Yakub Abubakar, expressed his sadness over the phone. Dr. Emeka Rollas-Ejezie also shared his grief. Other actors have started posting tributes on social media. Many are remembering him as a calm, professional man who knew his lines and treated younger actors well.

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One colleague wrote, “He never looked down on anyone. That is what I will remember.”

Another said, “We have lost a good one. Rest well, Solomon.”

What Happens Now

The family has not announced a funeral date yet. His body remains in an Abuja mortuary. Given his roots in Edo State, it is possible the burial will take place there, but nothing is confirmed.

For now, Nollywood is left with his movies. More than 100 of them. That is a lot of hours of entertainment. That is a lot of characters he brought to life. And that is how Solomon Akiyesi will be remembered. Not by the controversies, but by the work he left behind.

Tribute to Solomon Akiyesi: A 30-Year Career, a Loving Family, and a Sudden Goodbye.