RismadarVoice Reporters, May 26, 2026
Veteran Kannywood actress Wasila Isma’il has passed away at the age of 46 following a prolonged illness.
Her former husband, Al-Amin Chiroma, confirmed her death in a social media post on Sunday, stating that she died at FOMWAN Hospital in Kaduna.
Born in Kaduna State, Wasila Isma’il was a well-known figure in the Hausa-language film industry, earning recognition for her performances in several popular productions. She rose to prominence in 1999 after featuring in the film Wasila, directed by Yakubu Lere, where she starred alongside veteran actor Ali Nuhu.
Her acting career began in 1998 with the film Jinin Masoya, marking the start of a journey that would see her become one of the familiar faces in early Kannywood cinema.
In a previous interview, the late actress explained her decision to change the title of one of her early films from Jamila to Wasila, saying she preferred to avoid any potential negative association with her real identity. “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 recalled.
Following news of her death, fans, colleagues, and industry stakeholders have taken to social media to express grief and pay tribute to her contributions to Kannywood, describing her as a respected pioneer of the industry’s early years.
