Veteran Kannywood actress Wasila Isma’il dies at 46

Veteran Kannywood actress Wasila Isma’il has died at the age of 46 following a prolonged illness.

Her ex-husband, Al-Amin Chiroma, confirmed her passing in a social media post on Sunday, stating that she died at the Federation of Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria Hospital in Kaduna.

According to him, the actress passed away on Sunday after battling illness for some time. She is survived by her children.

Wasila Isma’il was a prominent figure in the Kannywood film industry, widely celebrated for her performances in numerous Hausa films.

She began her acting career in 1998 with the movie Jinin Masoya but rose to prominence in 1999 after starring in Wasila, directed by Yakubu Lere, alongside Ali Nuhu.

Born in Kaduna, she became a household name following the success of the film.

In a past interview, she revealed that the movie was originally titled Jamila, but she requested a change.

“I didn’t like the name Jamila because I feared it might tarnish my name, so I asked for it to be changed, and the director agreed,” she said.

Following news of her death, fans and colleagues have taken to social media to mourn her, describing her as a talented actress whose contributions to the Hausa film industry will be remembered.