At 80, Kola Oyewo reflects on battle with prostate, life off screen

Legendary Nollywood actor, Kola Oyewo, has opened up about his struggle with prostate enlargement, explaining that the condition significantly affected his ability to take on demanding acting roles.

The 80-year-old thespian made the revelation during a recent visit by fellow actor Kunle Afod to his residence, where he spoke candidly about his health challenges and noticeable absence from the screen.

Reflecting on his decades-long career, Oyewo said the ailment slowed him down considerably, making it difficult to perform certain roles that require physical strength and stamina.

“Before now, I could go from one location to another and play any role, but the illness has laid me back. I can no longer play certain roles except for some minor roles,” he said.

Despite the setback, the veteran actor expressed gratitude for life and recovery, noting that he is gradually regaining strength.

“I thank God because I’m getting better now. You can’t go through some kind of sickness and go back to how you’ve been before, but I thank God,” he added.

Narrating how the health challenge began, Oyewo revealed that he started experiencing persistent sleeplessness and frequent urination, symptoms that later became increasingly distressing.

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“There are so many people of my age that are still stronger than I am, but I thank God for preserving my life. I drove myself to the hospital after having sleepless nights, frequent urination and sometimes urinating on my body before I got to the toilet. After a series of tests, I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate,” he disclosed.

Prostate enlargement, medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition among aging men and can cause urinary difficulties and sleep disruption.

Oyewo joined the Nigerian movie industry in 1964 and rose to prominence for his outstanding performances in stage and screen productions, including the celebrated drama The Gods Are Not to Blame and Sango, both of which cemented his legacy in Yoruba theatre and Nollywood.

Beyond acting, he also contributed significantly to academia. He served as a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, from 1996 until his retirement in 2011.

Fans and colleagues have continued to commend the veteran actor for his resilience and transparency, as many describe him as one of the enduring pillars of Nigeria’s theatre and film industry.