Olu Jacobs: A five-decade legacy from London theatre to Nollywood
By: Olayemi Marvellous
Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film. His death was announced by his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a statement shared on Instagram.
The family described him as “the Lion of Lufodo” and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn the veteran actor.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London before establishing himself on the British stage and television. His early international career included appearances in British television productions and a number of major international films.
His film credits included Ashanti (1979), in which he played Commissioner Batak, The Dogs of War (1980), where he appeared as a Customs Officer, Disney’s Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985) as Colonel Nsogbu, and Roman Polanski’s Pirates (1986), in which he played Boomako.
Jacobs later returned to Nigeria and became one of the defining figures of the country’s developing film industry. With his distinctive baritone voice and commanding screen presence, he became particularly known for portraying kings, chiefs, traditional rulers, patriarchs and other authoritative figures.
His career in Nigeria covered hundreds of stage, television and film productions, making him one of the most recognisable faces of Nigerian cinema. Earlier accounts of his career have credited him with more than 200 home-video productions, alongside extensive stage and television work.
Among his notable Nigerian film credits were Greatness (2007), Smoke & Mirrors (2008), League of Gentlemen (2009), Sacred Lies (2011), White Chapel (2011), Adesuwa (2012), Potomanto (2013), The Antique (2014), Bloody Ring (2014), Oloibiri (2015), Dry (2015), The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017) and Victims (2017).
He also featured in several popular home-video productions, including A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow 2, Days of Gloom, Days of Gloom 2, Royal King, Royal King 2, Palace Slave, Palace Slave 2, Power of a Kiss and A Weeping Soul.
Beyond acting, Jacobs worked as a producer and stage director. Alongside Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which have been involved in film production, talent management and performing-arts education.
His contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry earned him several honours. He received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, while he was also recognised with the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a lifetime achievement award in later years.
The Nigerian government also honoured him with the national title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
Jacobs and Silva, who married in 1985, became one of Nigeria’s best-known acting couples, combining their personal partnership with work in the entertainment industry.
Throughout his career, Jacobs was also involved in conversations around professionalism, welfare and intellectual-property rights in Nigeria’s film industry.
His death marks the end of a career that bridged British theatre and television, international cinema and the evolution of modern Nollywood.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. The family has requested privacy as they mourn his death.