Nigeria’s entertainment industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of legendary actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.
The veteran thespian died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, according to a statement released by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on Instagram.
Describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo,” the family announced his passing with a tribute to a life devoted to the arts.
“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 family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn their patriarch.
Born on July 11, 1942, to parents from Egba Alake in Ogun State, Olu Jacobs spent his formative years in Kano, where his passion for performance began to take shape.
At Holy Trinity School, he participated actively in debating and drama. A defining moment came when he attended one of Chief Hubert Ogunde’s annual concert parties at the Colonial Hotel in Kano. The experience convinced him to pursue acting professionally.
He soon left Nigeria for England, where he trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Jacobs made his stage debut in 1972 as The Boy in A Taste of Honey at the newly opened Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. From there, he carved out an impressive career in British television, appearing in productions including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, 1990, The Tomorrow People and The Professionals.
But it was after his return to Nigeria that Jacobs would become one of the defining faces of the country’s film industry.
With his commanding voice, unmistakable presence and extraordinary ability to inhabit complex characters, he became a towering figure in Nigerian theatre, television and film.
His career earned him major industry honours and national recognition. He was also conferred with the prestigious Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Tinubu Mourns ‘A Giant’ of Nigerian Cinema
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over the death of the veteran actor, describing Jacobs as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished performers.
The President said Jacobs’ career helped shape and professionalise Nigeria’s entertainment industry, while inspiring generations of actors and filmmakers.
“He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry,” Tinubu said, describing his death as a loss to Nigeria, Africa’s film industry and lovers of the performing arts around the world.
Tinubu also praised Jacobs for bringing depth, dignity and authenticity to the characters he portrayed, noting that his body of work would continue to resonate with future generations.
The President extended his condolences to Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, his children, relatives, colleagues and the wider Nigerian creative community.
A Curtain Falls on a Remarkable Era
For decades, Olu Jacobs stood among the most recognisable and respected figures in African entertainment.
From the stages of Britain to the rise of modern Nollywood, his journey crossed generations and continents.
Now, the curtain has fallen on the life of a performer whose voice, presence and body of work left an enduring imprint on Nigerian cinema. Olu Jacobs was 84.
Olu Jacobs Dies at 84: Nigeria Loses a Colossus of Stage and Screen
