Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Nollywood and one of Africa’s greatest screen legends.

Born on July 11, 1942, in Kano, Nigeria, to parents from Egba Alake in present-day Ogun State, Olu Jacobs discovered his passion for acting while in school after watching one of legendary dramatist Hubert Ogunde’s travelling theatre performances.

He later moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s to study at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London, laying the foundation for a career that spanned more than five decades.

Skills and works

Following his training, Jacobs built a successful acting career in Britain, performing in theatre and appearing in several television productions.

His British television credits included The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Venturers, Angels, The Tomorrow People, The Professionals, 1990, Rumpole of the Bailey, Play for Today, Squadron, and The Witches and the Grinnygog.


He also featured in international films such as Ashanti (1979), The Dogs of War (1980), Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985), and Roman Polanski’s Pirates (1986), becoming one of the earliest Nigerian actors to gain international recognition.

Olu Jacobs returned to Nigeria in 1990, where he starred in the Nigerian Television Authority detective series The Third Eye before becoming one of the leading figures in the country’s emerging home-video industry.

Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs is dead

Over the years, he appeared in hundreds of Nollywood films, earning widespread acclaim for portraying kings, elders, military officers, politicians and family patriarchs.

His commanding voice, remarkable versatility, and dignified screen presence made him one of the industry’s most respected actors.

Honours

His outstanding contribution to African cinema earned him numerous recognitions.

In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

He was also conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Nigerian government in 2011, before receiving the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and the AMAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for his immense contribution to film and theatre.

Impact

Beyond acting, Jacobs played a significant role in developing Nigeria’s entertainment industry. Alongside his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, a media company focused on film production, theatre and talent development.

Through mentorship and training, the couple helped nurture a new generation of actors and filmmakers, leaving an impact that extended far beyond the screen.


Olu Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at age 84. His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in an Instagram post.

His passing marked the end of an extraordinary career that bridged British theatre, British television, international cinema, and Nollywood.

He left behind a rich legacy as one of Africa’s most accomplished actors, whose work helped shape Nigerian cinema into a globally recognised film industry.


PAT/EB