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 in an Instagram post on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” Olusoji Jacobs wrote.
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The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy as it mourns the veteran actor.
Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most recognised veteran actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film in Nigeria and abroad.
Background
Born on 11 July 1942, Jacobs spent his early childhood in Kano, where he attended Holy Trinity School and participated in the debating and drama societies.
His interest in acting was strengthened after he attended one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert parties at the Colonial Hotel in Kano. He subsequently travelled to England to pursue formal training in acting.
Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and began his professional career in British theatre and television.
One of his early stage roles was that of The Boy in A Taste of Honey at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1972. He subsequently appeared in several British television productions, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People and The Professionals.
He also featured in international films, including The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Roman Polanski’s Pirates.
Jacobs returned to Nigeria in 1990 and starred in the NTA detective series The Third Eye, before becoming one of the prominent figures in the emerging Nigerian film industry.
He went on to feature in more than 100 Nollywood films and also worked as a film executive, contributing to the development of Nigeria’s modern film industry.
His acting career earned him several honours, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007.
The actor received the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievements in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
In 2011, Jacobs was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
Jacobs was married to fellow veteran actress Joke Silva, with whom he had two children.
The couple also co-founded the Lufodo Group, which has been involved in film production, distribution and training in the performing arts.
Jacobs’ death comes after decades of work across theatre, television and film, during which he became one of the prominent actors associated with Nigeria’s film industry.
