By Karim Were
LAGOS.Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84, bringing to an end the career of one of the most recognisable figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Jacobs’ death was announced by his family on Wednesday, September 16, through a statement shared by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on social media. The family described him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle and referred to him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”
The family did not disclose the cause of death and appealed to bloggers, social media influencers and other members of the public to respect their privacy as they mourn.
The announcement ends years of public interest in Jacobs’ health following his gradual withdrawal from public life.
#A career spanning more than five decades
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs built a career that crossed theatre, television and film in both Britain and Nigeria.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London before working with British theatre companies and appearing in television productions and international films.
His early career included appearances in British television programmes such as *The Goodies*, *The Professionals* and *The Tomorrow People*. He also featured in international film productions before returning to Nigeria, where he became a major figure in the country’s emerging film industry.
His transition into Nigerian cinema coincided with the growth of what became known internationally as Nollywood.
With his deep voice, commanding presence and extensive theatrical experience, Jacobs became particularly associated with roles portraying traditional rulers, chiefs, fathers and other authoritative characters.
His performances helped establish him as one of the industry’s most respected veteran actors.
#Family confirms death
The announcement from the Jacobs family brought an outpouring of tributes from across Nigeria’s entertainment industry and beyond.
In the family statement, Olusoji Jacobs said they were announcing the death with gratitude for the life their husband, father, grandfather and uncle had lived.
The family also specifically requested privacy during the mourning period.
The cause of death had not been publicly disclosed at the time of publication.
Funeral arrangements had also not been announced by the family.
#A respected figure in Nollywood
Jacobs’ influence extended beyond individual film roles.
He became one of the actors associated with the development and professionalisation of Nigeria’s film and television industry.
His career provided a link between the country’s traditional theatre culture, British stage and television, and the modern Nigerian film industry.
Alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, Jacobs also co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
The couple’s work extended beyond acting into film production, distribution and training, helping create opportunities for people entering Nigeria’s performing arts sector.
#Awards and national recognition
Jacobs received several major honours during his career.
Among them was the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007.
He was also recognised at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and received a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to African cinema.
In 2011, the Nigerian government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
His achievements reflected the broader recognition of his contribution to Nigerian entertainment and the development of Nollywood.
Health struggles and public speculation
Jacobs’ later years were marked by health challenges that became a subject of public discussion.
In 2021, his wife disclosed that he had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies, a progressive neurological condition.
The disclosure followed years of speculation about the actor’s health, including several false reports claiming that he had died.
His family repeatedly rejected such reports while Jacobs remained largely away from the public spotlight.
His actual death was confirmed by the family on September 16, 2026. ([Uganda Broadcasting Corporation][4])
The family’s request for privacy reflects the long-standing sensitivity surrounding Jacobs’ health and personal life.
#Tributes from Nigeria
News of Jacobs’ death prompted tributes from political leaders, actors, filmmakers and members of the public.
President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were among those who mourned the veteran actor.
Atiku described Jacobs as an important figure whose work inspired generations and contributed to Nigeria’s creative industry. ([Channels Television][5])
The reaction reflects Jacobs’ standing beyond Nollywood, where his career had become part of Nigeria’s wider cultural history.
For many viewers, his performances represented an era in which Nigerian film moved from a largely domestic audience towards increasing international recognition.
#The Olu Jacobs-Joke Silva partnership
Jacobs’ professional and personal life was closely connected to that of Joke Silva, one of Nigeria’s most respected actresses and filmmakers.
The two were married in 1989 and became one of the country’s best-known entertainment couples.
Their partnership extended into business and training through the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
Together, they contributed to the development of professional opportunities within Nigeria’s creative sector.
Silva also became an important voice in discussions about Jacobs’ health in his later years.
#Legacy beyond the screen
Jacobs leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond the numerous characters he portrayed.
His career spanned a period of major transformation in African entertainment.
He began working at a time when African performers seeking international exposure often had to build careers through theatre and television abroad.
He later became one of the established faces of Nollywood as Nigeria’s film industry expanded rapidly.
His experience across different forms of performance allowed him to bridge several generations of actors and filmmakers.
His work also demonstrated the importance of formal theatre training in an industry that increasingly became dominated by film and television.
#Impact on younger actors
For younger Nigerian actors, Jacobs represented a generation of performers who established themselves through stage acting before moving into television and film.
His longevity also gave him the opportunity to work alongside several generations of Nigerian performers.
Through his work with Silva and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, his contribution extended into training and nurturing emerging talent.
This aspect of his career is likely to remain an important part of his legacy as Nigeria’s creative industry continues to expand.
#Nollywood loses one of its defining figures
Jacobs’ death comes at a time when Nollywood has become one of Nigeria’s most visible cultural exports.
The Nigerian film industry produces a large volume of films and has developed audiences across Africa and internationally.
Actors of Jacobs’ generation played an important role in establishing the credibility and visibility of Nigerian cinema.
His career therefore provides a window into the evolution of Nigeria’s entertainment industry from theatre and television to the global digital streaming era.
#A career remembered
For more than five decades, Olu Jacobs moved between theatre, television and cinema, earning recognition in Nigeria and internationally.
His performances, distinctive screen presence and contribution to the development of Nigerian creative institutions established him as a major figure in African entertainment.
His death at 84 marks the passing of an actor whose career crossed generations and whose work helped shape the identity of modern Nigerian cinema.
As his family begins the mourning process, details of funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated later.
For an industry that regarded him as one of its elder statesmen, his death represents the loss of a major cultural figure whose influence extended well beyond the screening
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