Veteran Nigerian actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known in the movie industry as Olu Jacobs
Veteran Nigerian actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known in the movie industry as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
The news about the demise of one of Nigeria’s most respected actors, was announced by his son Olusoji Jacobs, on Instagram on Wednesday.
For more than five decades, Jacobs built a career that took him from the stage in Britain to international films and, ultimately, to becoming one of the most recognisable faces of Nollywood.
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 he developed an early interest in acting through school drama, debating activities, and church programmes.
His passion for the performing arts was strengthened after he watched a performance by legendary Nigerian theatre practitioner Hubert Ogunde. The experience inspired him to pursue acting professionally.
Jacobs was married to fellow veteran actress Joke Silva. Their relationship developed into both a personal and professional partnership that became one of the most prominent unions in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Together, they founded the Lufodo Group, with interests spanning film production, distribution, and performing arts education.
The couple also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to the training and development of a new generation of performers.
Silva had previously disclosed that her husband was dealing with dementia with Lewy bodies, a degenerative condition that affected his health.
The actor’s health also became the subject of repeated false reports of his death. In June 2024, Silva again dismissed reports that he had died, saying he was alive and doing fine. His family had similarly rejected earlier death rumours.
Olu Jacobs died in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving behind his wife, Joke Silva, his family, colleagues and members of the filmmaking industry.
In Nollywood, Jacobs became particularly known for playing kings, chiefs, traditional rulers, patriarchs and other authoritative characters.
His deep voice, commanding presence and theatrical training made him one of the most recognisable veteran actors on the African continent.
Jacobs received several major honours during his career. 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 and received the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. In 2011, the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian arts.
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