Veteran Nigerian actress and film director Cecilia Oby Kechere, best remembered for her scene-stealing portrayal of the feared Ms. Koi Koi in the beloved 2002 comedy Aki na Ukwa, has passed away. She was confirmed dead on April 27, 2026, following a prolonged illness.
The Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) broke the news through its national president, Uche Agbo, who described the loss as a deeply painful one for the Nigerian film community.
“It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Madam Cecilia Oby Kechere, vice chairman of the DGN Abuja chapter,” Agbo said in a statement released on Saturday.
Agbo paid glowing tribute to Kechere, highlighting her unwavering dedication to the guild and her instrumental role in fostering growth and unity within its Abuja chapter. He noted that her contributions to the profession would endure long after her passing.
Born in Mbaise, Imo State, Kechere brought both academic grounding and natural talent to her craft. A Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Ibadan, she launched her acting career in 2001, cutting her teeth in a string of “August Meeting” films before landing the role that would cement her place in Nollywood folklore.
Her performance in Aki na Ukwa introduced her to millions of viewers across Nigeria and the diaspora, and she went on to earn a reputation as one of the industry’s most versatile and committed professionals — equally at home in front of the camera and behind it as a director.
The DGN extended its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues, as the Nigerian entertainment industry mourns yet another of its finest voices.
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