NFC Managing Director Ali Nuhu Mourns Passing of Veteran Actor Francis Duru

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Dr. Ali Nuhu, has expressed deep sadness over the death of veteran Nollywood actor and film stakeholder Francis Duru, who passed away on October 22, 2026.

In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Brian Etuk, the Managing Director, Dr. Ali Nuhu, described the late actor as one of Nigeria’s most impactful film stakeholders, noting that his death is another great loss to the nation’s film industry.

He said emerging filmmakers could easily identify with the late Duru as a storyteller, a teacher and a mentor.

“Aside his family, this is another great loss to Nigeria’s film industry,” Dr. Nuhu said, adding that the deceased loved the art and was a thespian with a difference who loved sharing his acting career experiences as a speaker, an anchor or a discussant across various film industry platforms, universities and institutions, including the residency programme of the National Film Institute in Jos, which is specifically designed for short and intensive film production projects.

Dr. Nuhu further stated that beyond the deep and irreparable loss his death will have on family members, relatives and friends, the industry will continue to remember and reference him for his lofty contributions to the growth and development of the film industry.

He described the late actor as a resource and screen star who was sadly cut down by death.

The statement noted that the late Francis Duru was an active member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and Secretary of the Creative Media Sector Skills Council.

He turned 57 on July 27, 2026, and will be remembered for decades of acting roles in many hit movies such as Rattlesnake (1995), Igodo, Living in Bondage (1992) and Eagles Wings (2021), as well as for winning the prestigious United Nations Ambassador of Peace award in 2007, among several other awards before and thereafter.

Dr. Nuhu, on behalf of himself, management and staff of the NFC, expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and Nigerian film stakeholders on the irreparable loss, and prayed that God grants the soul of Francis Duru a peaceful rest.