The Nigerian entertainment industry has bid a final farewell to one of its most celebrated figures, veteran actor Olu Jacobs, as family, friends, colleagues and admirers gathered in Lagos to honour a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades.
The acclaimed Nollywood actor, popularly remembered as the “Lion of Lufodo,” was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, October 2, 2026, following days of tributes and commemorative events celebrating his contribution to Nigerian theatre, television and film. He died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
His funeral brought together prominent personalities from the Nigerian entertainment industry and public life, reflecting the breadth of his influence across generations.
Among those who attended were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Several leading Nollywood personalities had earlier gathered for a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs in his honour at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos Island.
Nollywood Remembers a Remarkable Actor
For many actors and filmmakers, the death of Olu Jacobs represents the end of an important era in Nigerian performing arts.
Jacobs built a career that extended well beyond the modern Nollywood era. Before becoming one of Nigeria's most recognisable screen actors, he trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked in British theatre and television.
His international experience included appearances in British television productions and films before he returned to Nigeria and became an influential figure in the country's developing film and theatre industry.
Over the decades, his distinctive voice, commanding presence and ability to inhabit demanding characters established him as one of the most recognisable Nigerian actors of his generation.
He was particularly associated with authoritative roles, including traditional rulers, chiefs, fathers and other influential characters. However, his contribution to the entertainment industry extended beyond the characters audiences saw on screen.
Emotional Night of Tributes
The emotional farewell began with a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs attended by actors from different generations.
The event at Glover Memorial Hall brought together Nollywood veterans and contemporary stars, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic and Segun Arinze.
Speakers remembered Jacobs not simply for his acting ability but also for his relationship with younger performers and colleagues.
Richard Mofe-Damijo recalled lessons he received from Jacobs about professionalism and the importance of every role in a production. Sola Sobowale also became emotional while remembering the encouragement Jacobs gave her during her career.
Other colleagues spoke about his generosity, discipline and willingness to support people working around him.
Channels Television reported that actress Hilda Dokubo remembered Jacobs as someone who helped her overcome the nervousness she initially felt when working alongside him. Kate Henshaw similarly recalled his thoughtfulness and preparation while filming.
These recollections painted a picture of an actor whose influence was not limited to his performances.
A Family Farewell
At the centre of the funeral ceremonies was Jacobs' family, including his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their children.
The couple, who married in 1989, became one of the most recognised partnerships in Nigerian theatre and film. Together, they co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, creating platforms for production and the training of performers.
During the Night of Tributes, Jacobs' sons, Gbenga and Soji, offered personal memories of their father that showed another side of the celebrated actor.
Rather than focusing solely on his public achievements, their recollections centred on him as a father and family man.
Gbenga described his father as an internationally respected performer but emphasised the personal relationship they shared. He recalled moments of laughter, dancing and family interaction, portraying a man whose public reputation existed alongside a deeply personal family life.
The Legacy of the ‘Lion of Lufodo’
The nickname “Lion of Lufodo” became closely associated with Olu Jacobs following decades of work in the performing arts.
His achievements included winning the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
In 2011, the Nigerian government honoured him with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Such recognitions reflected a career that crossed several generations of Nigerian entertainment.
Jacobs' contribution was also significant because his professional journey connected the country's traditional theatre culture with the expanding Nigerian film industry.
He belonged to a generation of performers who helped establish standards of acting and professionalism that younger Nigerian actors inherited.
More Than a Nollywood Star
Although many Nigerians remember Olu Jacobs primarily through his film and television appearances, his career cannot be separated from theatre and professional acting.
His training and early career in Britain exposed him to established theatrical traditions before he brought that experience into Nigeria's creative environment.
That background helped distinguish his performances and contributed to the respect he commanded among colleagues.
His work with Joke Silva through Lufodo further demonstrated his commitment to the development of the performing arts. Through their initiatives, the couple contributed to professional training and the wider creative ecosystem.
For emerging actors, his legacy therefore extends beyond the films in which he appeared. It also includes the professional standards, mentorship and institutional work associated with his career.
A Final Goodbye
The funeral in Lagos marked the closing chapter of the public farewell to a man whose career touched theatre, television and cinema.
Dare Art Alade also performed “Pray for Me,” a song he recorded with Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, during the funeral service, adding another personal dimension to the ceremony. Jacobs' son, Olugbenga, also presented his father's biography as part of the funeral programme.
The atmosphere surrounding the ceremonies reflected both grief and celebration.
There were tears because a beloved member of the entertainment community had died. There were also stories, music, laughter and memories because those who knew Jacobs wanted his final public farewell to reflect the life he lived.
From the pioneers of Nigerian theatre to today's Nollywood stars, different generations came together to acknowledge the impact of his work.
Olu Jacobs' Place in Nigerian Cinema
The passing of Olu Jacobs leaves behind a body of work that will continue to introduce future generations to one of Nigeria's most distinguished performers.
His career stretched from British television and international film productions to Nigerian theatre and the emergence of Nollywood as a globally recognised film industry.
He witnessed enormous changes in the way Nigerian stories were produced, distributed and consumed. Through those changes, Jacobs remained a respected figure whose performances became part of the cultural memory of millions of Nigerians.
His death on September 16 at 84 brought an end to a remarkable personal journey, but the films, performances, institutions and professional relationships associated with his name remain part of Nigeria's entertainment history.
As family members, actors, filmmakers and admirers said their final goodbyes in Lagos, one message stood out: Olu Jacobs' time on earth may have ended, but his artistic legacy will continue to live on.
For Nollywood, it was a farewell to one of its most respected veterans. For the generations he influenced, it was an opportunity to honour a teacher, colleague, mentor and performer.
The curtain has finally fallen on the life of the Lion of Lufodo, but the story of Olu Jacobs remains firmly written into the history of Nigerian entertainment.
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