Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.
His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The family, while announcing his death, described the veteran actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy during the mourning period.
Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and built a career spanning theatre, television and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working with repertory theatres in Britain and appearing in several British television productions and international films.
He later returned to Nigeria, where he became one of the prominent figures in the country’s growing film industry and contributed significantly to the development of Nollywood.
Over the course of his career, Jacobs appeared in numerous stage productions, television programmes and films, working both in Nigeria and internationally. His credits included productions such as *The Dogs of War*, *Pirates*, *Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend* and several Nigerian films.
His contribution to African cinema earned him several recognitions. In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He later received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the Africa Movie Academy Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Jacobs was also honoured by the Nigerian government in 2011 when he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, for his contributions to the film industry.
Beyond acting, Jacobs was involved in developing talents within Nigeria’s entertainment industry. He co-founded the Lufodo Group with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, with interests including film production, distribution and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
His death marks the end of the career of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable veteran actors, whose work spanned several decades and connected Nigeria’s theatre tradition with its modern film industry.
The family has appealed for privacy as it mourns the actor and film executive.