Ijala chanter, Chief Alabi Ogundepo, has died at the age of 84 after decades of contributing to Yoruba theatre, oral literature and cultural expression.
Ogundepo died on Monday, August 24, 2026, his family announced in a statement signed by his daughter, Dupe Ogundepo-Falana.
His death came a day after veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, died at 66 on Sunday, August 23. Ogogo was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, the same day Ogundepo died.
The back-to-back deaths cast a pall over the Yoruba entertainment community, which was already mourning Ogogo’s passing.
A native of Saki, Oyo State, Ogundepo was widely recognised for his mastery of Ijala, the traditional oral poetry associated with Yoruba hunters. He also built a decades-long career as an actor and writer.
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His performances reached audiences through stage, radio and television, including Radio Oyo and NTA Ibadan, where he helped promote Yoruba language, history and cultural heritage.
His 80th birthday celebration in Saki in 2021 also marked 60 years of his involvement in Ijala.
The family described Ogundepo as a distinguished literary voice whose poetry and writings reflected a deep appreciation for Yoruba culture, tradition, language and history.
The family thanked individuals, institutions, traditional leaders and literary communities for their condolences and support and appealed for privacy and prayers.
Funeral arrangements, it said, would be announced in due course.
Ogundepo’s death marks another significant loss to Yoruba cultural expression, coming as the community bade farewell to Ogogo.