Olu Jacobs, born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors, with a career spanning British theatre and television, international cinema and Nollywood.
He died on September 16, 2026, aged 84.
He was born on July 11, 1942.
Jacobs was born to parents of Egba-Alake heritage from Abeokuta, Ogun State, although he spent much of his childhood in Kano.
Hubert Ogunde inspired him to become an actor.
As a young boy in Kano, Jacobs watched legendary theatre pioneer Hubert Ogunde perform at the Colonial Hotel. The experience convinced him that acting was what he wanted to pursue.
He initially faced opposition from his father.
His father reportedly wanted him to pursue a more conventional career. Jacobs eventually travelled to Britain to study drama, even telling his father at one point that he was going to study Law before revealing that he was actually studying drama.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Jacobs studied at the prestigious RADA in London, giving him formal classical acting training before he became a household name in Nigeria.
He had a successful British acting career before Nollywood.
Long before Nollywood became internationally famous, Jacobs appeared in British television productions including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People.
He acted alongside major international stars.
His international film credits included Ashanti, The Dogs of War, Pirates and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend. His career therefore extended well beyond Nigerian cinema.
He became famous for playing powerful characters.
Nigerian audiences particularly associated Jacobs with kings, traditional rulers, fathers, politicians and other authoritative figures. However, his filmography also included comic and less conventional roles.
He won major acting honours.
Jacobs won the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Dancing Heart. He later received the AMVCA Industry Merit Award in 2013 and an AMAA Lifetime Achievement
He and Joke Silva built both a marriage and a business partnership.
Jacobs and veteran actress Joke Silva met while working in theatre, married in 1985 and subsequently co-founded the Lufodo Group, which has interests in film, theatre and performing-arts education.
He was honoured by the Nigerian government.
In 2011, Jacobs received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contribution to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
One more remarkable fact
Jacobs continued working in Nigerian film even after establishing himself internationally. His career helped bridge Nigeria’s traditional theatre generation with modern Nollywood, and he became a mentor and reference point for younger actors. �
Premium Times Nigeria
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