Olu Jacobs Dies at 84: Nollywood Mourns a Giant of Stage and Screen

By Conti International Magazine

Nigeria’s entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.

The family announced his death on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, through his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a statement shared on Instagram. The family described the late actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and expressed gratitude for his life and legacy while appealing to the public, bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy during the period of mourning.

Olu Jacobs leaves behind a career that stretched across theatre, British television, international productions and Nigeria’s film industry. His passing marks the end of a remarkable era for an actor whose voice, presence and commanding performances helped define generations of African storytelling.

Born in 1942, Jacobs developed an interest in drama from his early years and eventually travelled to Britain, where he received formal training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. He subsequently worked with repertory theatre companies and appeared in British television productions and international films before returning to Nigeria in the 1980s.

On his return, Jacobs became an influential figure in Nigerian theatre, television and film. His career included major appearances in productions such as The Third Eye and numerous Nigerian movies, establishing him as one of the most recognisable faces of the country’s emerging film industry.

His contribution to African cinema was recognised with several honours. In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Dancing Heart. He later received the AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva. He was also conferred with the Nigerian national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.

Beyond his screen performances, Jacobs and Silva were deeply involved in developing theatre and film talent. Their Lufodo Group became part of their broader contribution to Nigeria’s entertainment landscape, with their work extending beyond acting into production, training and mentorship.

For decades, Olu Jacobs represented a link between Nigeria’s traditional theatre era and the modern Nollywood generation. His ability to portray authority figures, traditional rulers, professionals and complex characters made him a familiar presence to audiences across Africa and beyond.

His death has already begun to generate tributes from colleagues, admirers and members of the Nigerian entertainment community, many of whom have acknowledged the influence of his long career.

As Nigeria bids farewell to one of its most recognisable thespians, Olu Jacobs’ body of work remains an enduring part of the country’s cultural history—a legacy built not only on the roles he played, but also on the generations of performers and filmmakers influenced by his journey.

Olu Jacobs was 84. He is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, children and grandchildren.