Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, one of Nollywood’s most celebrated and influential figures, has died at the age of 84, his family announced.
His wife, renowned actress Joke Silva, confirmed his death in a statement, describing Jacobs as the “Lion of Lufodo” and saying he had lived a life “well lived and fought.”
Silva also appealed to bloggers and social media users to respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.
Jacobs was widely regarded as one of the father figures of Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, with a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and cinema.
Among his best-known films were My Kingdom, Covert Operation and One Fine Day. He became known for his commanding screen presence and versatility, earning widespread admiration among audiences and fellow actors.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before beginning his professional acting career. He appeared in several British television productions and international films before becoming a major figure in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding film industry.
Over the course of his career, Jacobs received numerous honours, including the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role as well as several lifetime achievement awards recognising his contribution to African cinema.
In 2011, he was awarded Nigeria’s national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, or MFR, for his contribution to the country’s entertainment industry.
Jacobs and Silva also founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, helping train and develop a new generation of Nigerian actors and other performing artists.
In recent years, Jacobs had largely withdrawn from public life because of ill-health.
His death marks the loss of one of the most recognisable and respected figures in the history of Nigerian cinema.
