Nigerian movie director, Dimbo Atiya has died barely 24 hours after the demise of Nollywood actress, Temitope Osoba.
According to reports, Atiya died on Thursday morning.
The founder of the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON), Seun Oloketuyi, who announced the sad news via his Instagram page, wrote, “Dimba Atiya is dead. The top Nollywood director passed on this morning. Details later.”
Also sharing the deceased’s picture on Instagram, Nollywood actor, Mofe Duncan, wrote: “God no, not Dimbo. I’m devastated. One of the greatest minds of the entertainment industry.”
Reacting to the news, Ali Nuhu wrote, “ADIEU Dimbo ”
Stella Damasus also expressed her grief, writing, “This one hit different. DIMBO! Hmmm. It is well.”
Mofe Duncan, who worked with Atiya on Sons of the Caliphate, shared a photo of the filmmaker and wrote, “GOD NO!! NOT DIMBO!! NO! NO!! NO!!! I AM DEVASTATED!!!
“ONE OF THE GREATEST MNDS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.”
Other actors, including Uzee Usman, Susan Peters and Maryam Booth, have also mourned the filmmaker on social media.
Atiya started his career in 2008 after studying Urban and Regional Planning, then trained at the New York Film Academy in the United States. Over the years, he produced more than 500 television episodes and several feature films.
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Some of his best-known works are Sons of the Caliphate, Halita, The Rishantes, Drawing Strength, Still Falling, The Plan, and Dala Dala. He was also the co-creator, executive producer, writer, and director of The Rishantes.
In 2022, The Rishantes received the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series.
Atiya was well known for telling stories focused on Northern Nigeria. His political drama series Sons of the Caliphate, made for EbonyLife TV, first aired in 2016 and later became available on Netflix, which helped bring the show to a global audience.
Before his passing, Atiya continued to work on new projects. His most recent directing credits include Boxed, Moonshine, Loving Hanan, and Strong.