Veteran Kannywood actress Wasila Ismail has passed away at the age of 46 after battling a prolonged illness.
Her ex-husband, Al-Amin Chiroma, confirmed the sad news in a social media post on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
“Innalillahi Wainna Ilaihirrajiun. Wasila Isma’il is dead. She died at the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria Hospital, Kaduna.”
Wasila, who was born in Kaduna, began her acting career in 1998 with the film Jinin Masoya. She rose to prominence in 1999 after starring in the movie Wasila, directed by Yakubu Lere and featuring popular actor Ali Nuhu. The film was initially titled Jamila, but she requested a name change because she feared it might tarnish her image.
The late actress became a household name in the Hausa film industry and featured in several successful productions over the years. She is survived by her children.
News of her death has sent shockwaves through the Kannywood industry, with fans and colleagues taking to social media to mourn her and celebrate her contributions to Hausa cinema.