Veteran Actor Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Nollywood Mourns the Lion of Lufodo

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, in a statement shared on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo. Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs (MFR) 11/07/1942 – 16/09/2026,” the family statement read. The family also asked bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy at this time.

Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and began his career in Britain, working with repertoire theatres and appearing in British television productions and international films. His early screen credits include Ashanti in 1979, The Dogs of War in 1980, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend in 1985, and Roman Polanski’s Pirates in 1986. After returning to Nigeria, he became one of the defining figures of Nollywood, appearing in more than 300 films and earning recognition for his commanding screen presence and versatility.

His notable Nigerian films include Adesuwa, Potomanto, The Antique, Dry, Oloibiri, and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel. Jacobs won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. In 2011, he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.

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In his later years, Jacobs stepped away from the screen after his wife disclosed in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies, a progressive neurological condition. His health challenges and absence from the public eye led to repeated false reports of his death, which the family repeatedly debunked.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Jacobs as “an institution, a cultural icon and one of the finest ambassadors of Nigeria’s creative spirit”. He said generations of Nigerians grew up with Jacobs as a familiar and commanding presence in their homes. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo described him as “a consummate actor, a quintessential professional, a god of the screen”. Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie paid tribute, describing him as a legend whose presence and guidance left a lasting mark on her career. She recalled their time together on set as moments filled with laughter, joy, and “plenty of corrections”. Other actors who mourned him include Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, and Funke Akindele.

Jacobs and Silva co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing not only to film and television but also to developing and training performing artists in Nigeria. The academy has trained hundreds of actors, directors, and filmmakers who are now contributing to the growth of Nollywood.

Jacobs is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, their children, and grandchildren. His death marks the end of a career that stretched from British theatre and television to the development of modern Nigerian cinema.

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