Nigeria’s entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor and elder statesman, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.
His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
For more than five decades, Olu Jacobs carved a remarkable path across theatre, television and film, becoming one of Nigeria’s most respected and recognisable actors.
Born on July 11, 1942, in Kano, Jacobs had his roots in the Egba Alake community of Abeokuta, Ogun State. He grew up in Kano, where his interest in acting developed through school drama, debating and church activities.
His passion for the stage deepened after watching a performance by renowned Nigerian theatre practitioner Hubert Ogunde, an experience that encouraged him to pursue acting professionally.
From London Stage To Nollywood
Jacobs travelled to Britain and trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
After completing his training, he worked with several repertory theatre companies in Britain and appeared in a number of television productions.
His British television credits included The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals, The Tomorrow People and Barlow at Large.
He also featured in international films including 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 in the 1980s, Jacobs became a major force in the country’s emerging film and television industry.
He featured in hundreds of productions and became particularly associated with roles as kings, chiefs, traditional rulers, fathers and other authoritative figures.
His distinctive baritone voice, commanding screen presence and strong theatre background made him one of the most recognisable faces of Nigerian cinema.
Guardian records that Jacobs built an extensive body of work, including more than 200 home video productions, about 100 stage productions and numerous television programmes.
Awards And National Honour
Jacobs’ contribution to acting earned him several major honours.
In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He was also honoured with the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievement in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
In 2011, the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
The African Movie Academy Awards later honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 alongside his wife, Joke Silva, and other distinguished practitioners.
Olu Jacobs And Joke Silva
Beyond the screen, Jacobs shared a celebrated personal and professional partnership with fellow veteran actress Joke Silva.
The couple married after meeting in the theatre community and went on to become one of Nigeria’s best-known entertainment couples.
Together, they founded the Lufodo Group, with interests in film production, distribution and performing arts. They also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which has contributed to training a new generation of performers.
Later Years
In his later years, Jacobs largely stayed away from the public spotlight as his health declined.
His wife had previously spoken publicly about his battle with dementia with Lewy bodies. His health also led to repeated false reports of his death, which the family had dismissed on previous occasions.
Despite his absence from the screen, colleagues and admirers continued to celebrate his contribution to Nigerian theatre and cinema.
A Legacy That Endures
Olu Jacobs belonged to a generation of actors who helped build the bridge between Nigeria’s traditional theatre, television and the modern film industry.
His career also connected Nigerian entertainment with international theatre and cinema, following his extensive professional experience in Britain.
From the stage to television and Nollywood, Jacobs became renowned for portraying characters marked by authority, wisdom and dignity.
His influence extended beyond acting through production, mentorship and arts education.
With his death, Nigeria has lost one of the most enduring figures of its performing arts history—a man whose career spanned generations and whose work helped shape the identity of Nigerian cinema.
Olu Jacobs is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, his family and generations of actors and filmmakers whose careers were influenced by his work.
