By Paul Joseph
Veteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has been laid to rest in Lagos at the age of 84.
Jacobs’ funeral service was held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at This Present House Church in Lekki, Lagos, where family members, friends and several personalities from Nigeria’s entertainment industry gathered to honour the late actor.
Entertainment entrepreneur and singer Darey Art Alade was among those who paid tribute to Jacobs during the service. He performed his hit song, “Pray For Me,” which featured the late actor and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.
Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, also presented his father’s biography during the funeral proceedings as guests reflected on the life, career and contributions of the celebrated actor.
The burial came two days after a Night of Tributes held on Wednesday at Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island.
The event attracted Nollywood actors, filmmakers and other well-wishers who gathered to celebrate Jacobs’ decades-long contribution to Nigeria’s theatre, television and film industries.
Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His death was announced by his family, with his son, Olusoji Jacobs, confirming the development in a post shared on Instagram.
The family described Jacobs as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, while appealing to the public to respect their privacy during the mourning period.
“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 statement identified him by his full name, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, and gave his dates of birth and death as July 11, 1942, to September 16, 2026.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy.
“We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our family’s privacy at this time,” the statement added.
Jacobs’ death marked the end of the life and career of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable actors, whose work extended beyond Nollywood to British television, theatre and international film productions.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs developed an interest in acting at a young age before travelling to the United Kingdom, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
He later gained experience through stage performances and appearances in British television productions and international films before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of the familiar faces of the country’s emerging film and television industry.
Throughout his career, Jacobs was known for portraying authoritative and complex characters, with his distinctive voice and commanding delivery making him popular among generations of Nigerian television and cinema audiences.
His career spanned the development of Nigerian theatre and television and the subsequent growth of the local film industry popularly known as Nollywood.
Jacobs also appeared in international productions, including The Dogs of War, Pirates and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend. He also featured in several British television productions before establishing himself as one of the leading figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Beyond acting, Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, were involved in the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to the training and development of young talents in theatre and the wider performing arts.
Jacobs received several honours during his career. In 2011, he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian film industry.
He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
His marriage to Joke Silva was one of the notable partnerships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The pair met through theatre, later married and collaborated on several creative projects.
Silva remained closely involved in Jacobs’ life, particularly during his later years.
The funeral service in Lagos brought together family members, colleagues and admirers who gathered to pay their final respects to the veteran actor and celebrate a career that spanned decades.
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