Cjay Nwokafor Dies Hours Before Movie Release as Nollywood Mourns Rising Actor

Nollywood actor Chijioke Temidayo Nwokafor, popularly known as Cjay or Cjay Nwoks, has died, leaving colleagues and fans mourning the sudden loss of the rising actor.

Cjay’s death was announced on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by actress and filmmaker Nkechi Blessing, who revealed that the actor was pronounced dead at a hospital in Badore, Lagos.

The news came just hours before the scheduled release of Nkechi Blessing’s movie, Egusi Ogbono, in which Cjay featured. The film was originally set to be released at 5pm on Wednesday, but the actress cancelled the release following confirmation of his death.

Nkechi Blessing said she had spoken with Cjay at about 8am on the same day, making the news of his death particularly shocking to her. She later shared emotional memories of the actor, saying they still had plans together before his sudden passing.

The circumstances surrounding Cjay’s death have not been publicly disclosed, and neither his family nor his colleagues had announced funeral arrangements as of Thursday.

His death has triggered reactions across the Nollywood community, with several actors expressing disbelief over how quickly the situation unfolded.

Actor Charles Born said he had planned to visit Cjay at the hospital before learning that he had died, while Emeka Nwagbaraocha described the news as difficult to accept after having communicated with the actor only days earlier.

Actress Ruth Kadiri also paid tribute to Cjay, recalling the painful experience of ending the day at the hospital after his death.

Cjay, who hailed from Awka in Anambra State and was based in Lagos, began his professional acting career in 2021. He gradually built a presence in Nollywood through appearances in a number of films.

Among the productions linked to his acting career are Larry Cold, Mum Overnight, A Day to My Wedding, The Lies She Tell and What Time Left. His other credits include Sent from Heaven, Insecure and Godly Escort.

In a recent interview, Cjay spoke about his early experience on a movie set with filmmaker Ruth Kadiri and how the experience helped strengthen his decision to pursue acting professionally.

The actor’s sudden death has now cast a shadow over a career that was still developing, with colleagues remembering him as a young performer whose journey in the industry had continued to expand.

For Nkechi Blessing, the loss also carries a personal dimension, coming on the same day she was preparing to release a project in which Cjay had featured.

The cancellation of Egusi Ogbono following his death has added another emotional layer to the tragedy, as a project intended to reach audiences became connected to the sudden loss of one of its cast members.

As tributes continue to emerge, the Nollywood community awaits further information from Cjay’s family regarding the circumstances of his death and his final burial arrangements.

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