Sir Olu Jacob
Family Announces Passing of ‘Lion of Lufodo’ as Industry Mourns One of Nigeria’s Most Celebrated Actors
From British Theatre to Nollywood: How Olu Jacobs Built a Legacy That Spanned Generations
Nigeria’s entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.
Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with his family announcing his passing in a statement shared on Instagram by his son, Olusoji Jacobs.
The family described the veteran actor as their husband, father, grandfather and uncle, while paying tribute to his remarkable life and enduring legacy.
“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 stated.
The family also appealed to bloggers, social media influencers and members of the public to respect their privacy as they come to terms with the loss.
“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our family’s privacy at this time,” the statement added.
The announcement brings to an end the life of one of the most recognisable figures in Nigerian theatre, television and film.
A Career That Crossed Borders
Born on July 11, 1942, Olu Jacobs developed an interest in acting from an early age before travelling to the United Kingdom for formal training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
His professional career began in British theatre before he went on to appear in television productions and international films.
His early screen credits included appearances in British productions such as The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals, The Tomorrow People and other television programmes.
He also appeared in international films, establishing himself as an actor capable of moving comfortably between stage, television and cinema.
Jacobs later returned to Nigeria and became one of the major figures in the country’s rapidly developing film industry.
His return coincided with the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers and actors, and he went on to become one of the most respected faces of what would eventually become known globally as Nollywood.
According to reports, Jacobs featured in more than 100 Nigerian films during a career spanning several decades.
His distinctive voice, commanding screen presence and ability to portray a wide range of characters made him a household name among Nigerian audiences.
The ‘Lion of Lufodo’
Beyond acting, Jacobs was also deeply involved in developing Nigeria’s performing arts industry.
Together with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, a media and performing arts organisation that became involved in film production, distribution and training.
Their work through the Lufodo platform contributed to the development of young creative professionals and extended their influence beyond their individual acting careers.
The couple became one of the most recognised partnerships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, both professionally and personally.
For decades, Jacobs and Silva appeared together at major industry events and remained prominent figures within Nigeria’s theatre and film community.
A Private Battle With Dementia
In 2021, Joke Silva publicly disclosed that her husband had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative condition.
The revelation came after years of speculation and false reports concerning Jacobs’ health, with the family repeatedly forced to counter rumours circulating online.
Silva had previously spoken about the emotional challenges involved in caring for a loved one experiencing cognitive decline, while also reflecting on their decades together.
The family’s decision to publicly address his condition helped provide context to his reduced public appearances in his later years.
However, no cause of death was given in the family’s announcement on Wednesday.
A Decorated Career
Jacobs’ contribution to Nigerian cinema and the performing arts earned him several major honours during his lifetime.
In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
He was also recognised with an Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, alongside other lifetime and industry honours.
In 2011, the Federal Government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
His awards and recognitions reflected a career that stretched beyond commercial success and into the broader development of Nigeria’s creative industry.
More Than an Actor
For many Nigerians, Olu Jacobs represented a generation of performers who helped establish professional acting as a serious career within the country’s entertainment landscape.
His career connected different eras of African storytelling—from traditional theatre and stage productions to television and the modern Nigerian film industry.
His influence also extended to younger performers and creatives who came after him.
Through his acting career, production work and involvement in performing arts education, Jacobs remained connected to the development of Nigeria’s creative sector.
His passing therefore represents not only the loss of a celebrated actor but the departure of one of the figures associated with several important stages in the evolution of Nigerian entertainment.
Nollywood Reacts to the Loss
News of Jacobs’ death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from Nigerians, entertainers and public figures.
President Bola Tinubu and other prominent Nigerians have mourned the veteran actor, describing his contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry as significant.
For an actor whose career stretched from British theatre to international productions and ultimately to the heart of Nollywood, Jacobs leaves behind a body of work that spans generations.
He celebrated his 84th birthday on July 11, 2026, just over two months before his death.
As his family begins the mourning process, the request for privacy has remained central to their announcement.
But across Nigeria’s entertainment industry and among millions of viewers who watched his performances over the decades, the memory of the man widely known as “The Lion of Lufodo” is likely to endure through the characters he created, the productions he shaped and the generations of creatives he influenced.
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