10 things you should know about late Nollywood veteran, Olu Jacobs

Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

The veteran Nigerian actor and film executive died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with his family announcing his death on Instagram.

In the announcement, the family described Jacobs as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, while also paying tribute to him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”

Jacobs became one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian entertainment, appearing in more than 120 Nollywood films and earning several major awards and honours.

He was also a respected stage actor, film executive and teacher who contributed to the growth of the performing arts in Nigeria.

His marriage to fellow veteran actress Joke Silva also became one of the notable partnerships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Together, they established the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.

As the Nigerian entertainment industry mourns the passing of one of its respected veterans, here are 10 things to know about the life, career and achievements of Olu Jacobs.

1. His full name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs

Olu Jacobs was born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on July 11, 1942. He later became popularly known by his professional name, Olu Jacobs.

He was born into a family with roots in the Egba Alake area but spent his early years in Kano.

His childhood in northern Nigeria became part of the foundation of a life that would eventually take him to Britain and, later, back to Nigeria.

Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

2. His interest in acting started during his childhood

Jacobs developed an interest in drama while growing up in Kano. He attended Holy Trinity School, where he took part in both the debating and drama societies.

His decision to pursue acting professionally was reportedly influenced by a performance he watched by the late Nigerian theatre pioneer, Chief Hubert Ogunde.

Jacobs attended one of Ogunde’s annual concert parties at the Colonial Hotel in Kano. The performance made a strong impression on him and encouraged him to consider acting as a career.

He eventually travelled to England to receive formal training in the profession.

3. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London

Jacobs received his professional acting education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, one of Britain’s recognised institutions for training actors.

His training provided him with a foundation in theatre and performance and opened the door for him to work in Britain before he became a household name in Nigeria.

His early career was therefore shaped not only by Nigerian theatre traditions but also by years of professional experience in the British performing arts industry.

4. He began his acting career in British theatre and television

Before becoming a major Nollywood star, Jacobs worked extensively in Britain.

One of his early stage appearances came in A Taste of Honey at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

He later performed in a number of theatre productions, including Richard’s Cork Leg, Black Man’s Country, Julius Caesar, A Kind of Marriage, Old Movies and Night and Day.

His television credits from that period included appearances in popular British productions such as The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People and The Professionals.

These roles helped him gain experience in different forms of acting long before his return to Nigeria.

5. He appeared in international movies

Jacobs also built a career beyond British television and theatre.

He appeared in international films including The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Roman Polanski’s Pirates.

His international credits showed the range of his acting career and placed him among Nigerian performers who gained experience working in productions outside Africa.

After years abroad, Jacobs eventually returned to Nigeria and began another major chapter of his career.

6. He became one of Nollywood’s most respected actors

Jacobs returned to Nigeria in 1990 and landed a major television role in the NTA detective series The Third Eye. He played Inspector Best Idafa in the programme, which ran from 1990 to 1993.

His return coincided with the development of Nigeria’s modern film industry. He subsequently appeared in more than 120 Nollywood productions.

Among his film credits were Greatness, Smoke & Mirrors, League of Gentlemen, Bent Arrows, Sacred Lies, Adesuwa, Potomanto, The Antique, Oloibiri, Dry, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and Victims.

His performances often saw him take on authoritative, traditional and influential characters, helping establish the commanding screen presence for which he became known.

7. He won several major awards

Jacobs’ contribution to acting earned him several awards during his career.

In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

He was later presented with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

In 2016, he received the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award, another recognition of his long career in the entertainment industry.

He was also honoured at the Africa International Film Festival in 2021 with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In August 2022, Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, received an icon award and membership certificates from the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria.

8. He was honoured by the Nigerian government

In recognition of his contribution to Nigeria’s film industry, Jacobs was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.

The honour was presented during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The recognition placed Jacobs among Nigerians who received national honours for their contributions to the country.

9. He was married to fellow actress Joke Silva

Olu Jacobs was married to veteran Nigerian actress Joke Silva. The couple got married in 1989 and had two children.

Their relationship was also a professional partnership, as both actors remained involved in the entertainment industry for decades.

Jacobs and Silva founded the Lufodo Group, a media company with interests in film production and distribution.

They also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, providing training in acting and other aspects of the performing arts.

Jacobs once explained why his wife continued to use “Joke Silva” professionally despite their marriage.

He said: “She is her own individual. When I met her, she was an actress known as Joke Silva; so why should marrying me now deny her and her audience her name.”

The couple remained one of the most recognised husband-and-wife partnerships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

10. His death followed years of public speculation about his health

Olu Jacobs became the subject of several false death reports over the years, particularly on social media.

One major instance occurred in 2021 when reports circulated that he had died. The reports were later disproved when Jacobs appeared publicly at the Africa International Film Festival in November of that year, where he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

His wife, Joke Silva, later spoke publicly about his health, revealing that he was living with Lewy body dementia.

Despite periods away from the public spotlight, Jacobs continued to be celebrated for his contribution to Nigerian theatre, television and film.

His death was officially announced by his family on September 16, 2026.

In their tribute, his family described him as a “beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle” and honoured him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”

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