Nollywood has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of popular Yoruba actress, producer, director, and singer Allwell Ademola. She was 43 years old.

Reports indicate that Ademola collapsed at her residence and was rushed by a neighbor to Ancilla Hospital in Agege, Lagos, where she was pronounced dead. Unconfirmed sources suggest she suffered a heart attack.

The news broke earlier today, with filmmaker Seun Oloketuyi initially sharing the information on Instagram (in a post that was later deleted). Colleagues quickly reacted on social media, expressing shock and grief.

Actress Faithia Williams posted: “Haaaa. This hit me so bad. Eniobanke. Allahu Akbar..Allwell.”

Mide Martins wrote on Facebook: “BLACK SATURDAY……This is not fair😭 May God forgive your shortcomings Allwell😭😭😭”

Actor Damola Olatunji shared a candlelight image with the caption: “Life is a mirage.”

Allwell Ademola, born August 9, 1982, was a granddaughter of the late Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Nigeria’s first indigenous Chief Justice. She began her career as a child actor and rose to prominence in Yoruba-language films, producing several movies and mentoring upcoming talents in the industry.

Her passing marks another loss for Nollywood in 2025, leaving fans and colleagues devastated by the abrupt end to a vibrant career. Details surrounding the incident remain limited as family and friends process the tragedy.

• President Donald Trump and President Bola Tinubu

The Nigeria government has confirmed that the US bombing of terrorists camps linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in north-western Nigeria, was a joint operation with the Nigerian army.

On Thursday Christmas night, camps run by the Lakurawa terrorists group in Sokoto state were hit near the border with Niger, the US military said.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar told the BBC that it was a “joint operation” and had “nothing to do with a particular religion”.

Tuggar said the strikes had been planned “for quite some time” using intelligence provided by Nigeria. He also did not rule out further strikes.

Referencing the timing of strikes – which took place late on Thursday – he said they did not have “anything to do with Christmas”.

The US military said an “initial assessment” suggested “multiple” fatalities in Sokoto state.

A local official in the Tangaza area of Sokoto state, Isa Salihu Bashir, told the BBC the strikes had “hit some Lakurawa terrorist camps”. He said many fighters had been killed but the death toll was unclear

US President Donald Trump said the Christmas Day strikes had been “deadly” and labelled the group “terrorist scum”, saying they had been “targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians”.

The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 40% salary increase for university lecturers as part of a landmark renegotiated agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ending an eight-year review process of the 2009 FGN-ASUU pact.

The agreement, concluded on December 23, 2025, was announced by ASUU in a circular dated December 24, 2025, describing it as a comprehensive framework aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s public university system.

Key highlights of the deal include:

– A 40% upward review of academic staff salaries under improved conditions of service.

– Reaffirmation of pension benefits, allowing professors to retire at age 70 with a pension equivalent to their final annual salary, subject to service requirements.

– Introduction of a tailored budgeting template to address universities’ specific funding needs.

– Provisions for enhanced university autonomy, academic freedom, and systemic reforms to curb brain drain and underfunding.

– Commitments to innovation, research funding through a proposed National Research Council, and duty-free imports for educational materials.

ASUU expressed optimism that the government would commence prompt implementation, with the new salary structure expected to take effect from January 1, 2026.

The breakthrough averts potential industrial action, following months of tense negotiations that began in 2017. Earlier reports in November and early December indicated the government’s proposal of the 40% increment as a key offer to resolve lingering disputes over withheld salaries, earned allowances, and revitalization funds.

Multiple outlets, including Politics Nigeria, The Star, Legit.ng, and The Guardian, confirmed the agreement, noting its potential to stabilize the tertiary education sector amid ongoing challenges like inflation and emigration of academics.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the development, viewing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing grievances in Nigeria’s public universities.

The Ministry of Education is yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate alignment with President Tinubu’s directive to avoid disruptions in the academic calendar.