Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Olu Jacobs, one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, has died at the age of 84.
Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. His family announced his passing in a statement shared on social media.
“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,” the family said.
The family also appealed to the public, bloggers and social media users to respect their privacy as they mourn the veteran actor.
Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and celebrated his 84th birthday in July this year. His wife and fellow veteran actress, Joke Silva, marked the occasion by expressing gratitude for his life and celebrating him as the “Lion of Lufodo.”
The veteran actor had a career spanning several decades across theatre, television and film. Before becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Nollywood, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and appeared in British television productions and international films.
Over the years, Jacobs became a prominent figure in Nigeria’s film industry, appearing in numerous productions and receiving several honours for his contribution to acting. In 2011, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour.
In 2021, Joke Silva publicly disclosed that her husband had been living with dementia with Lewy bodies, a degenerative condition that had affected his health and kept him largely away from the screen in recent years.
Jacobs is survived by his wife, children and other family members.
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