CJay Nwokafor: tributes at his service of songs, and what we know about the actor’s death

CJay Nwokafor, the young Nollywood actor who died in Lagos on 30 September, was remembered at a service of songs on Wednesday, 7 October. Friends and colleagues dressed in white filled a church in Gbagada, and actress Nkechi Blessing, who first announced his death, broke down during her tribute. A week on, the cause of his death has still not been made public. Here is what we know about CJay, his work and the arrangements so far.

By Editorial Team

What we know

• Date and place of death (REPORTED). Chijioke Nwokafor, known as CJay or CJay Nwoks, died on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at a hospital in the Badore area of Lagos, Daily Post and The Telegraph report. The hospital has not been named.
• Announced by Nkechi Blessing (FACT). The actress shared the news in a tearful Instagram video, saying she was at the hospital in Badore when he died, according to Daily Post.
• Cause not disclosed (FACT). His family and colleagues have not said how he died. Punch and QED both report that the cause has not been made public.
• Service of songs held (FACT). The service took place at 4pm on Wednesday, 7 October, at RCCG Maranatha Church, Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos, with an all-white dress code, according to the arrangements shared by actor Emeka Okoye and reported by QED. Legit.ng reported on the service the same evening.

Who was CJay Nwokafor?

His full name was Chijioke Temidayo Nwokafor, according to the funeral announcement quoted by QED. He was from Awka in Anambra State and lived in Lagos.

CJay was part of a new generation of Nollywood actors. He began acting professionally in 2021, Punch reports, and in about five years built a list of credits that included Larry Cold, Mum Overnight, A Day to My Wedding, The Lies She Tell and What Time Left, according to QED.

That kind of fast start has become more common. Many young actors now work steadily across the films made for streaming and online release, where producers shoot quickly and release often. The audience for that kind of film is huge: Bimbo Ademoye’s My 30th Wedding passed 10 million YouTube views this month, as we reported in our story on the film. It is a busy, close-knit corner of the industry, which is one reason his death hit his colleagues so hard.

The film that was never released

CJay died on the day a new film was meant to come out. Nkechi Blessing had cast him as the lead in her film Egusi Ogbono, which was due for release at 5pm on 30 September, Punch reports.

In her video, she explained why it would not go ahead. “It took me a lot to do this video because we won’t be dropping the movie again by 5pm,” she said, as quoted by Daily Post. Punch reports that she said she had spoken to him at about 8am that morning.

She has not announced a new date for the film. Whether and when it is released, and how his family wants him to be remembered in it, are decisions for those closest to him.

CJay Nwokafor’s service of songs

A service of songs is a Christian evening service of hymns, prayers and tributes held before a funeral. It is common in Nigeria, especially in southern and eastern states, and gives friends and colleagues a chance to speak about the person who has died. Nollywood held a similar night for the veteran actor Olu Jacobs earlier this month, which we covered in Olu Jacobs laid to rest in Lagos.

At CJay’s service, Nkechi Blessing was invited to speak. Legit.ng reports that she said the two of them spoke almost every day and that he had big plans for a catering business. She was unable to finish her tribute, dropped the microphone and returned to her seat.

The week has been an unusually public one for her. Three days after announcing CJay’s death, she fought in the celebrity boxing event we reported on in our Chaos in the Ring results.

Colleagues’ reactions

When the news broke, several actors said they could not believe it. Actor Emeka Nwagbaraocha wrote on X: “Can’t believe CJ is dead mehn. We just texted a few days back,” Punch reports. Ruth Kadiri was among the other stars who posted tributes, according to QED.

We will not speculate about how he died. Until his family, the hospital or someone with direct knowledge says more, the cause of death remains unknown.

What we do not know

• The cause of death.
• The date and place of the burial. The arrangements published so far cover the service of songs. Any further funeral details are for his family to announce.
• Whether Egusi Ogbono will be released, and when.

What happens next

• His family is expected to announce the burial arrangements. In many Igbo families, burial takes place in the person’s hometown, but no details have been confirmed.
• Nkechi Blessing may give an update on Egusi Ogbono.
• We will update this story if the family or his colleagues share more information.

More Nollywood news: Nollywood.

Photo credits: Featured image: Centertainment branded share card.

Sources

• Daily Post: Nollywood actor CJay Nwoks dies in Lagos hospital (30 Sep 2026)
• The Telegraph Nigeria: Nollywood actor Chijioke ‘Cjay’ Nwokafor dies (1 Oct 2026)
• Punch: Nkechi Blessing, others mourn as Nollywood actor Cjay Nwokafor dies (2 Oct 2026)
• QED: Cjay Nwoks’ service of songs announced (2 Oct 2026)
• Legit.ng: Nkechi Blessing breaks down in tears at Cjay’s service of songs (7 Oct 2026)