Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, wey many people know as Olu Jacobs, don leave us at age 84. Na one of di true godfathers of Nollywood, and im career span pass five decades, joining classical British theatre with modern African storytelling. Dem born am on July 11, 1942, to parents from Egba Alake, and he spend plenty of im childhood for Kano.
Im journey into performing art start early when he attend one of Chief Hubert Ogunde famous concert parties for Colonial Hotel in Kano. Dat single experience set im course: he secure visa and travel go England to study for di prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, RADA, for London.
Throughout di 1970s and 1980s, Jacobs show imself as versatile force for British stage and television. He feature for acclaimed British series like The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, The Professionals, and Angels. Im talent soon carry am go international film sets, where he star for productions like John Irvin war thriller The Dogs of War for 1980, Roman Polanski Pirates for 1986, and baby: Secret of the Lost Legend for 1985.
For 1990, Jacobs return to Nigeria and immediately take lead role for di NTA detective series The Third Eye. Dat mark di beginning of a homecoming wey transform di landscape of Nigerian film. As Nollywood expand fast, Jacobs become its undisputed patriarch.
He appear for over 120 movies, and he bring depth, classic theatrical training, and unmatched gravitas to roles from stern traditional rulers to powerful family patriarchs. For 2007, he win di Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He receive National Honour for 2011 as dem confer am as Member of the Order of the Federal Republic by President Goodluck Jonathan for im contributions to Nigerian arts. A Lifetime Achievement Award also come im way for 2016 at di Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Off screen, Jacobs form one of di most iconic power couples for African entertainment alongside veteran actress Joke Silva, wey he marry for 1989. As steadfast advocate for individual identity, Jacobs famously defend Silva choice to retain her maiden name professionally, and dat show im progressive values. Im later years carry private battle with Lewy body dementia.
Meanwhile, veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo don pay tribute to late actor legend Olu Jacobs, describing am as consummate professional wey set high standards for di Nigerian film industry. Kanayo talk for interview with BBC News Africa wey dem share on Instagram on Friday. He recall Jacobs discipline, punctuality, and passion for mentoring younger actors.
‘You wouldn’t tell an Olu Jacobs that call time is nine and he’s not there by 8.30,’ Kanayo talk. He note say Jacobs bring wealth of experience to Nollywood and never fail to bring fresh interpretation to every scene. ‘For those of us who were opportuned to be on set with him, he was just that consummate actor who played his part well. And every new scene came with a new interpretation,’ he state.
Kanayo add say di late icon always ready to guide younger performers to become better actors. ‘Always willing to teach the younger ones on how they can be better actors. And God save you if you’re on set with Mr. Olu Jacobs and you’re not proving yourself to be an actor,’ he talk. He recall one project wey dem do together, a film produced by Lancelot Imasuen for Benin, where Jacobs play im father, a king, while he play di prince. ‘I would have wished that he stayed more. He has played his part and it’s time the Lord called him home,’ he add.
Olu Jacobs die at age 84, with im family announcing im passing on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
