Nollywood actress and film producer Allwell Ademola was laid to rest on Friday, December 27, 2025, at Atan Cemetery in Yaba, Lagos State. She passed away at the age of 49. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from colleagues and fans across the Nigerian film industry, who remembered her as a dedicated filmmaker committed to her craft and supportive within the industry. Allwell Ademola was widely known for her role as “Mama Kate” in the 2018 film “Ile Wa” and was a prolific filmmaker in both Yoruba and English language productions.

The funeral activities commenced with a Service of Songs and a candlelight procession held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at LTV8 in Lagos State. Many prominent figures from the industry gathered to honour their late colleague. Among those leading the candlelight procession were Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, and Iyabo Ojo. Other notable attendees included Rotimi Salami, Saidi Balogun, Biola Adebayo, Wumi Toriola, Afeez Owo (also known as Afeez Abiodun), Kunle Afod, Faithia Williams, Biola Bayo, Mr Latin, Odunlade Adekola, Jayeola Monje, Toyin Alausa, Regina Chukwu, Eniola Ajao, Yemi Solade, Bakare Zainab, Tawa Ajisefinni, Semilore Pweety, Fausat Balogun, Foluke Daramola, and Jigan Babaoja. Attendees, many wearing customised white T-shirts bearing Ademola’s portrait, offered special prayers and paid heartfelt tributes in her memory.

During the candlelight procession, Rotimi Salami, described as one of Ms. Ademola’s closest friends in the industry, delivered an emotional tribute. Fighting back tears, Salami appealed for forgiveness on behalf of the late actress, stating, “If there’s anyone Allwell has offended, directly or indirectly, please, forgive her and keep praying for her. I think the only thing we can actually do is find a way, in unity, to keep her legacy. Even if she’s gone, let all that she has done stay with us and be with us.” He also announced his intention to offer one day of free work to anyone who approached him for a film project, as a way to honor her legacy.

The burial ceremony on Friday saw many industry colleagues present to pay their last respects. Attendees, including Afeez Owo, Rotimi Salami, Saidi Balogun, Kunle Afod, Toyin Abraham, Biola Adebayo, and Liz Da-Silva, were visibly emotional. Viral videos captured them breaking down in tears as they poured sand on Ms. Ademola’s coffin, which had been lowered into the grave.

A brief sermon delivered by the officiating pastor at the cemetery served as a poignant reminder for attendees to reflect on their lives and consider their own mortality. The pastor urged everyone to mend their ways and asked, “How will you end your journey? That malice, wickedness, ‘I will not agree’ — who knows what is next? That is the million-dollar question before us today.” He emphasised that the event should prompt deep reflection, particularly for those harbouring malice or engaging in wrongdoing, and that the righteous would always consider this in their hearts. He concluded by saying, “What God expects of us when we see things like this is to look up to God and say, ‘Father, help me to make the best of the time that is left.’”

Amidst the solemn funeral rites, a significant event unfolded during the service of songs: an apology from Allwell Ademola’s younger brother to actress Iyabo Ojo. Previously, following his sister's death, the brother had posted a viral video in December 2025 criticising some Nollywood colleagues, including Iyabo Ojo, Lateef Adedimeji, and Owonikoko, for what he perceived as hypocritical public tributes and a lack of support during his sister’s lifetime. He had stated, “All the ‘Rest in Peace’ messages and public displays of love are fake and hypocritical. Where was this love when she was alive? When she produced Eniobanke, none of you promoted it. You all claimed to be friends, yet you never supported her work or career, even though she supported many of you. During the Jagun Jagun production, no one called her or offered her a role.” He further added, “Some of you the likes of Lateef Adedimeji, Owonikoko, Iyabo Ojo and others came to our house to shoot movies, yet you never found it worthy to stand by her. If you couldn’t support her while she was alive, don’t perform loyalty now that she is gone.”

Iyabo Ojo publicly responded to these claims, asserting that she had "oversupported" the late actress. She stated, “I over supported your sister when she was Alivee, when she was building her career as Producer and director, I featured in her movies countless times for free and I also supported her financially and emotionally. May her beautiful soul continue to rest in perfect peace.” During the service of songs on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Allwell’s brother approached Iyabo Ojo, prostrating to beg for her forgiveness. He sincerely apologised, saying, “Big mummy please don’t be offended, you can see that I didn’t abuse you in the viral video. Please I’m sorry.” He added, “Please ma, don’t be offended. I did not mean to abuse you; I was not referring to you at all.” Iyabo Ojo quickly embraced him, accepting his apology with the words, “O ti lo (it’s a thing of the past) to God I have forgiven you.” This public reconciliation marked a poignant moment during the mourning period.