NIGERIA — ENTERTAINMENT

Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

The news was announced by his family on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, bringing to a close the life of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished actors and theatre practitioners.

His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced the death in a statement shared on Instagram, while his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, also confirmed the development.

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

The family statement gave his dates as July 11, 1942 – September 16, 2026, and appealed to members of the public, particularly bloggers and social-media influencers, to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.

A Career That Crossed Generations

Born in Kano in 1942, Olu Jacobs built a remarkable career that spanned theatre, television and film.

Before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable faces, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and developed his craft through British theatre and television.

His early career included appearances in British television productions before he went on to feature in international films.

He later returned to Nigeria, where his extensive experience and commanding screen presence helped establish him as one of the defining figures of the country’s modern film industry.

Over the decades, Jacobs became known for portraying powerful, authoritative and complex characters, earning recognition from audiences across generations.

His career also extended beyond acting into film production and other aspects of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

A Defining Figure in Nigerian Cinema

For many Nigerians, Olu Jacobs represented a bridge between the country’s established theatre tradition and the modern Nollywood era.

His work across stage, television and film gave him a career that extended well beyond a single generation of Nigerian cinema.

He was also recognised with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Jacobs’ death comes after years in which reports about his health and false claims concerning his death had circulated online. His family had previously dismissed such reports as untrue.

This time, however, the announcement has been confirmed by his family.

As tributes begin to emerge across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, the death of Olu Jacobs marks the passing of an actor whose career helped shape the story of Nigerian theatre, television and film.

Olu Jacobs was 84.