Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Olu Jacobs has died at the age of 84, bringing to a close a career that stretched across British theatre and television, Nigerian stage productions and the evolution of Nollywood.
Jacobs’ death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The family described the actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and asked the public to respect its privacy as relatives mourn.
In the family statement, Olusoji wrote: “It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought”, before announcing the passing of his father, husband, grandfather and uncle.
Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, beginning a professional career that took him through British theatre and television before he returned to Nigeria and became one of the country’s most recognisable actors.
His international credits included appearances in British television productions such as The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People. He also appeared in international films including The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Pirates.
Back home, Jacobs became a major presence in Nigerian theatre, television and film. His career earned him several honours, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. He was also conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, were also associated with Lufodo Productions, an enterprise that became part of their wider contribution to Nigeria’s performing arts industry.
His death carries particular poignancy because reports of Jacobs’ death had circulated several times in previous years and were publicly rejected by his family. In 2024, his son again confirmed that the actor was alive after another wave of online rumours.
This time, however, the announcement has come directly from his family.
The family has appealed to bloggers and social-media influencers to respect its privacy during the mourning period.
