Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, according to a statement released by his family through his son, Olusoji Jacobs.
The family described the late actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and expressed gratitude to God for his life and 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 said.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy as it mourns the veteran actor.
Born on July 11, 1942, Olu Jacobs built a career spanning several decades across theatre, television and film.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and began his professional acting career in Britain, appearing in theatre productions and television programmes before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of the most recognisable faces of the Nigerian film industry.
Jacobs’ international credits included work associated with the BBC, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and major international film productions. His career subsequently became closely associated with the development of Nigeria’s film and television industry.
Together with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, which has been involved in film production, distribution and training through the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
Among his major honours was the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. He also received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2013 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the African Movie Academy Awards in 2016.
In 2011, he was conferred with the Nigerian national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Olu Jacobs was married to Joke Silva, with whom he had two children.
His death marks the passing of one of the veteran performers whose career connected Nigeria’s traditional theatre and television era with the growth of modern Nollywood.
The actor had previously been the subject of repeated false death reports, including one in 2024 which his family publicly debunked. This latest announcement, however, was made by his immediate family.
