Nigerian film and comedy fans have been left saddened by the death of Bamidele Oluwatope Saint, the actor and content creator popularly known as Okemesi. The news was confirmed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, when his colleague Jeff Owolewa, also known as Tony Montana Jeff, announced his passing in a heartfelt video on Instagram.Weeks before his death, Okemesi had been dealing with serious health issues that forced him to seek medical care.
After a recent hospital discharge, complications from medications left him unwell. According to reports, he became weak, had little appetite, and was eventually taken back to the hospital after his condition worsened. Efforts to find treatment were difficult, with some health facilities unable to admit him due to a lack of space, before he was finally readmitted to a private hospital for care.
On Tuesday morning, Okemesi slipped into a coma following complications linked to the drugs he was given during treatment. He was reportedly placed on oxygen, but did not regain consciousness. Medical staff officially pronounced him dead at about 11:50 a.m. that day.
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In his announcement, Jeff Owolewa said, “With a heavy heart, I’m announcing to the world that Okemesi is dead. The doctor pronounced him dead at exactly 11:50 a.m. this morning, February 24, 2026.” He also shared that the actor’s body had been taken to a morgue and that details about burial arrangements would be communicated later.
Before his final hospital stay, Okemesi had spoken openly about his struggles both with illness and personal hardships, telling fans in a video that he lacked stable accommodation and support. Well‑wishers and fans responded with donations that helped him secure a new place to live.
Okemesi’s career was marked by a love for making people laugh. He built a strong audience through his comedy skits and roles in Yoruba‑language films, where his use of English, Yoruba, and his native Ekiti dialect added warmth and relatability to his performances. Over the years, he appeared in several productions and became a familiar face to many Nollywood and comedy audiences.
Since the announcement of his death, colleagues, fans, and friends have taken to social media to share memories of his work and express their condolences. Many have highlighted not just his humour onscreen but also his kind spirit off‑camera.
The loss of Okemesi is being felt across the entertainment community in Nigeria, as friends and admirers remember him for the laughter he brought into people’s lives and the generosity he showed during hard times.
