Lagos, Nigeria — The Nigerian film industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor Fabian Adibe, best known for his iconic role in the 1987 television series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’. The revered actor, who passed away at the age of 81 after a brief illness, was a highly respected figure in Nollywood with a career spanning decades.
Africa Update reports that the news of his death was first shared on Wednesday by celebrity journalist Seun Oloketuyi. Adibe’s daughter, Nkechi, later confirmed her father’s passing on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt tribute. “With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that Chief Fabian Adibe, my dad, passed away after a brief illness. He was the best father anyone could think of. May God grant him eternal rest and peace,” she wrote.
Born in Owerri, Imo State, on December 1, 1943, Adibe’s journey into acting began with formal training at the University of Ibadan, where he studied Theatre Arts. His performance in ‘Things Fall Apart’ catapulted him into the national spotlight and solidified his place in Nigeria’s cultural history.
Beyond this landmark role, Adibe’s prolific career included a vast array of films such as ‘Broken Plate’, ‘Evil Desire’, ‘Peacemaker’, ‘Oke Belgium’, and ‘Billionaires Club’. His work left an indelible mark on the industry, and he will be remembered for his significant contributions to Nigerian cinema.
