Why Nigerian Filmmaker Kayode Peters Was Buried in Canada

Late Nigerian filmmaker and television producer Kayode Peters was buried in Canada on Saturday, August 2, 2025, following a solemn Christian service attended by family members and close associates.

Peters, who passed away on June 28 in Toronto, had been living in Canada before his death, reportedly after battling an undisclosed illness. He was aged 49.

According to a statement released by the family and corroborated by various media reports, the late filmmaker’s funeral arrangements were held across three countries to reflect his international life and career. A tribute night was first held in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 22, followed by another memorial in London, United Kingdom, on July 29, before his final interment in Milton, Ontario, Canada, on August 2.

The funeral service took place at the McKersie & Early Funeral Home in Milton, after which his remains were laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery. A video from the burial, now circulating on social media, captured tearful scenes as mourners sang hymns, including the popular Christian song “It Is Well”.

The family did not issue any public statement on repatriating the body to Nigeria, opting instead for a Canadian burial, given the circumstances of his death and his residence in the country.

Peters was widely known for his contributions to Nigerian television and theatre. He gained prominence in the early 2000s with the sitcom Flatmates, which later evolved into My Flatmates, and also worked on productions such as Papa Ajasco and Company and Twilight Zone.

Tributes continue to pour in from Nollywood colleagues and fans, remembering Peters as a pioneering creative force who played a vital role in shaping contemporary Nigerian TV comedy.