Nollywood actor who is also a senior lecturer in the department of performing arts in University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Ayo Akinwale, has passed on at 74.

Kunle Akogun, UNILORIN’s director of corporate affairs, confirmed the tragic news to NAN on Monday.

He said the academic breathed his last on Sunday, although the cause of his death is undisclosed.

It is understood that he had been admitted to the institution’s teaching hospital when he died.

Akinwale began his acting career in the 1970s, featuring in television and drama productions and later went on to win the ‘Best Indigenous Actor’ award at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Born in Oyo state, he had attended the Methodist High School and the University of Ibadan before beginning academic work as a lecturer at the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

He was the dean at faculty of arts and culture in UNILORIN and also served as the chairman of the Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture.

Some movies for which he is known are ‘Sango’ (1997), ‘Ladepo Omo Adanwo’ (2005), and ‘Iranse Ajein’ (2007).

Having stood as a judge on several festivals including the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST), he was the pioneer board chairman of UnilorinFM before his death.