Veteran Nollywood Actor Patrick Doyle Mourns Newborn Daughter Hours After Birth Announcement

Veteran Nollywood actor and broadcaster Patrick Doyle is mourning the death of his newborn daughter, Omayinuwa Mayen Harriet Doyle, just hours after announcing her arrival with his new wife, Funmilayo. The baby girl passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at approximately 4:15 pm, barely a day after she was born on Friday, April 10, at about 10:40 am .

The actor had initially taken to Facebook on Saturday to share his joy over the birth of his daughter, expressing profound gratitude to God. “To the glory of God, I announce the precious addition of a female child to my quiver. Omayinuwa Mayen Harriet Doyle was born yesterday at about 10:40 AM. Mother and child are doing well and daddy is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God Almighty,” he had written in his initial announcement .

However, joy soon turned to sorrow. In a subsequent Facebook post on Sunday, the 65-year-old actor confirmed the heartbreaking loss. “Omayinuwa visited us briefly at about 10:40 am on Friday, 10th April and returned to heaven on Saturday, 11th April at about 4:15 pm. Her stay was short but it brought great joy with it. We would have wished for a longer stay, but alas heaven thought otherwise,” he wrote .

Despite the tragedy, Doyle maintained a strong faith-filled perspective. “This much we know though, God still rules in the affairs of men. Our faith in the goodness of God remains resolute regardless. Sibe’ sibe’ Oluwa n’be’. It is well with our soul,” he added, using a Yoruba phrase meaning “Quietly, quietly, the Lord is present” .

The cause of the newborn’s death has not been disclosed. The baby was Doyle’s first child with his new wife, Funmilayo, whom he married in a ceremony that trended online in 2023. According to reports, Funmilayo, who was 27 at the time of their marriage in June 2025, owns Funmidee Cuisines, a company specialising in private chef services and event catering . Doyle had previously described her as a woman who took on the roles of mother, friend, and partner in his life .

The actor’s marriage to Funmilayo came after the dissolution of his 20-year marriage to fellow Nollywood actress Ireti Doyle. Ireti confirmed their divorce in 2023 during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on WithChude, stating simply, “We are officially divorced” . The former couple, who married on December 21, 2004, share children together.

Doyle had also previously lost his first wife, Rosamond Ndidi Doyle, to sickle cell disease in 1999 . The actor, known for his roles in films including “After 30,” has had a distinguished career spanning decades in Nigeria’s film and broadcast industry. The baby girl’s name, Omayinuwa, which translates to “child who knows the way” in Edo language, carried deep cultural significance for the family .

Fans and colleagues from the entertainment industry have continued to flood the actor’s social media pages with condolences and messages of support, offering prayers for the grieving family during this difficult time.