Omotunde Ogundimu has spent about 35 years building a career in Nigeria’s Yoruba film industry.
Now, the veteran actress is asking Nigerians for help as she continues treatment for cervical cancer.
Ogundimu disclosed her diagnosis during an interview with fellow actress Biola Bayo. The interview was published in July 2026.
She said doctors diagnosed her with cervical cancer in 2024 after a series of medical tests.
The actress said the illness has affected her physically, emotionally and financially.
Her latest appeal has renewed attention on a career that began decades ago.
Omotunde Ogundimu’s journey into acting
Ogundimu’s path into acting started before she became a familiar face in Yoruba movies.
In a 2014 interview with The Nation, she recalled her time with the Sunny Wonders Performing Group.
The group performed dramas and stage plays.
She was also connected to actress and gospel singer Tope Alabi during that period.
According to Ogundimu, Alabi later encouraged her to pursue opportunities in the Yoruba movie industry.
That advice eventually led her to the Alade Aromire Group.
From there, Ogundimu developed a career that combined acting with filmmaking.
Her work came during an important period for Yoruba home videos.
The industry relied heavily on direct-to-market productions before streaming platforms transformed film distribution.
A look at Omotunde Ogundimu’s films
Ogundimu has appeared in several Yoruba productions across her career.
Her documented credits include Abiamo Tooto, Igba Ewa, Temidun, Niniola and Iyawo Panda. IMDb also lists her role as Mama Ayo in Birthday Party (Yoruba), released in 2023.
Abiamo Tooto
Abiamo Tooto is one of the films closely associated with Ogundimu’s earlier career.
She also produced the movie as part of her work behind the camera.
In a 2014 interview, she said Abiamo Toto was among three films she had produced.
She also described those early productions as successful in the market.
Temidun
Temidun is another production linked to Ogundimu’s filmmaking career.
She identified the title among the films she produced during the earlier era of Yoruba home videos.
The film also appears among her acting credits on IMDb.
Igba Ewa
Ogundimu also appeared in Igba Ewa, a Yoruba production released in 2008.
The film remains part of her recorded screen credits.
Niniola and Iyawo Panda
Her acting record also includes Niniola and Iyawo Panda.
IMDb lists Ogundimu among the cast of both productions.
Her credit in Niniola appears under the character name Dokita.
Birthday Party (Yoruba)
More recently, Ogundimu appeared in Birthday Party (Yoruba).
She played the character Mama Ayo in the 2023 production.
The role shows that her screen career continued well beyond her early years in the industry.
Ogundimu also worked as a producer
Acting was not the only side of filmmaking that interested Ogundimu.
She produced Temidun, Origun Meta and Abiamo Toto.
She previously said she was careful about producing another film because she did not want to compromise the standard associated with her name.
That part of her career offers another view of her contribution to Yoruba cinema.
She was not only performing in front of the camera.
She was also involved in creating and financing stories for the market.
Her career therefore reflects the broader role many Yoruba filmmakers played during the home-video era.
A career affected by health challenges
Ogundimu’s career has also been marked by serious health challenges.
In 2014, she publicly sought financial assistance for treatment related to severe fibroids.
Contemporary reports said she eventually underwent surgery.
She later returned to discuss her recovery and her plans to continue working.
More than a decade later, she is facing another major health challenge.
The actress said she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2024.
She has now appealed to the public for financial assistance because the cost of treatment has become difficult to sustain.
Ogundimu says acting opportunities have declined
Beyond her health condition, Ogundimu has raised concerns about the state of her acting career.
She said she no longer receives as many opportunities as she once did.
The actress also claimed that some of the roles she gets now pay between N20,000 and N40,000.
For someone with about 35 years of experience, she said the situation has become difficult.
She also appealed to colleagues who may feel offended by her in the past.
Ogundimu asked them to consider her long journey in the industry and support her during this difficult period.
A veteran asking for another chance
Ogundimu’s story is bigger than her current health battle.
It is also a story about longevity in an industry that has changed dramatically.
She entered the Yoruba film scene when home videos dominated Nigerian entertainment.
She acted, produced films and built a career across different stages of the industry.
Her recorded film credits include productions from the 2000s through to Birthday Party (Yoruba) in 2023.
Now, the actress is asking for support once again.
Her appeal comes as she continues to deal with the financial demands of cancer treatment.
For Ogundimu, the request is also a reminder of the difficult realities many veteran performers face after decades in the spotlight.
Her career has left a mark on Yoruba Nollywood.
Her latest hope is simply to get well and return to a better quality of life.
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