LAGOS – The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of acclaimed Nollywood producer and director Dimbo Atiya, a filmmaker celebrated for promoting northern culture and mentoring emerging talents across the industry.
News of Atiya’s passing was announced on Thursday by the founder of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, who confirmed the development in a post shared on Instagram.
“Dimbo Atiya is dead. The top Nollywood director passed on this morning. Details later,” Oloketuyi wrote.
The announcement sparked an outpouring of tributes from actors, filmmakers and other industry stakeholders, many of whom described Atiya as a visionary storyteller whose work expanded the representation of northern Nigeria in mainstream Nollywood.
Among those who reacted was actor Mofe Duncan, who expressed deep sadness over the filmmaker’s passing.
“God no, not Dimbo. I’m devastated. One of the greatest minds of the entertainment industry,” Duncan wrote.
Throughout his career, Atiya earned widespread recognition for producing films that celebrated cultural heritage while connecting regional stories with audiences across Nigeria.
His productions played a key role in bringing northern voices, actors and creative professionals into the national spotlight, contributing to a more inclusive and culturally diverse Nollywood.
Beyond filmmaking, Atiya was widely respected for mentoring young talents and creating opportunities for professionals from northern Nigeria to thrive in the country’s entertainment industry.
His contributions were seen as instrumental in broadening the scope of Nigerian storytelling by showcasing the country’s rich cultural diversity.
Atiya’s death comes only days after the passing of Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba, another loss that drew widespread condolences from across the entertainment industry.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of Atiya’s death had not been disclosed.
Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, fans and industry leaders, many of whom have described his legacy as one that will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and storytellers.