Family members, political leaders and some of Nollywood’s most celebrated personalities gathered in Lagos to bid farewell to veteran actor Olu Jacobs, whose remarkable career helped shape generations of Nigerian performers.
Jacobs was laid to rest at a private cemetery following a funeral service at This Present House Church in Lekki.
He died at the age of 84 after a career that stretched across several decades in theatre, television and film.
His family announced his death on September 16, 2026.
The funeral activities brought together relatives, colleagues, friends, public officials and leading members of the entertainment industry to celebrate an actor widely regarded as one of the defining figures of Nigerian cinema.
Among those who attended were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Lagos State First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo Olu, former Ekiti State First Lady Bisi Fayemi and Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa.
Prominent actors and filmmakers also joined the farewell, reflecting the enormous influence Jacobs exercised over the industry.
Born in 1942 to parents from Egba Alake, Jacobs spent part of his childhood in Kano and attended Holy Trinity School.
His interest in performance developed after watching a Hubert Ogunde concert party at the Colonial Hotel in Kano.
He later travelled to England and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Jacobs built a career on the British stage and appeared in several television productions before returning to Nigeria.
His international credits included appearances in productions such as The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part and Barlow at Large.
He also appeared in Sir Tom Stoppard’s Night and Day.
After returning to Nigeria in 1990, Jacobs appeared in the NTA detective series The Third Eye and subsequently became one of the most recognizable performers in the emerging Nollywood industry.
He acted in hundreds of productions and became known for his commanding screen presence, distinctive voice and commitment to professional standards.
His contributions earned him numerous honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Africa International Film Festival and an Icon Award from the Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria in 2022.
But at his farewell, colleagues remembered more than the celebrated actor seen on screen.
His son Soji recalled a father who maintained a clear boundary between his public career and family life.
He said Jacobs protected the family’s privacy despite the enormous affection he received from the entertainment industry.
Veteran actor Norbert Young remembered Jacobs as a mentor whose conversations helped shape his development as an actor during their years working on The Third Eye.
Playwright Ahmed Yerima recalled the emotional intensity Jacobs brought to performances, while Hilda Dokubo and Kate Henshaw spoke about his generosity and willingness to support younger colleagues.
Sola Sobowale remembered the confidence she gained after Jacobs publicly praised her ability as an actor.
Richard Mofe Damijo also recalled lessons from Jacobs about discipline, humility and the importance of treating every role seriously.
Singer Yinka Davies delivered a musical performance during the farewell activities.
At the centre of the ceremonies were Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Gbenga and Soji.
For Nollywood, the burial marked the final farewell to an actor whose career connected British theatre, Nigerian television and the rise of one of Africa’s largest film industries.
His performances may have ended, but the generation of actors he influenced ensures that Olu Jacobs remains firmly woven into the history of Nigerian cinema.
