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Olu Jacobs, veteran Nigerian actor, dies at 84
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. In the announcement, the family described Jacobs as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, while also asking bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy during the mourning period.
Jacobs leaves behind a career that spanned more than five decades and crossed theatre, television and film. Over the years, he became one of Nigeria’s most respected actors, and his work took him beyond the country’s borders.
Olu Jacobs leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Nigerian entertainment.
Jacobs began developing his professional career in Britain after training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He subsequently worked with repertory theatres and appeared in British television productions and international films.
However, his return to Nigeria marked another significant chapter in his career. Jacobs became a prominent figure in the country’s growing film industry and eventually emerged as one of the most recognisable faces associated with Nollywood.
Furthermore, his extensive experience on stage and screen gave him a distinctive presence. His commanding delivery, versatility and ability to portray authoritative characters made him a familiar figure to generations of Nigerian television and film audiences.
Beyond acting, Jacobs also contributed to the development of the performing arts. Together with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group and remained involved in initiatives connected to professional training and the creative industry.
His career also earned him major industry and national recognition. In 2007, Jacobs won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He later received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. In addition, the Federal Government honoured him with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in 2011.
For decades, therefore, Olu Jacobs remained an influential presence across Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. His career connected traditional theatre with television and modern Nigerian cinema, while his performances helped establish the standard associated with veteran Nigerian screen actors.
Following his death, tributes have begun to emerge from across the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, the family has asked for privacy as relatives, colleagues and admirers mourn the veteran actor and remember his decades-long contribution to Nigerian theatre, television and film.
