Veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs has died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, and wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, announced the death in a joint Instagram statement on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. They described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and asked the public and media for privacy.
Jacobs had been battling Lewy body dementia and retired from active screen appearances in recent years.
Born on 11 July 1942 in Abeokuta, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. During the 1970s, he built a stage career in Britain and appeared in several British television series and international films.
He returned to Nigeria in the 1980s and became one of the founding figures of modern Nigerian acting. He appeared in more than 100 films and was known for his commanding presence and baritone voice.
With Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which trained a generation of actors.
His awards include the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the 2011 Member of the Order of the Federal Republic honour, and the 2016 AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
