BREAKING: Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Family Announces

The family of Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs said on Wednesday that he had died at the age of 84.

The announcement came in a joint Instagram post by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, and his wife, the actress Joke Silva, on September 16, 2026.

‘It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo. Oludotun Baiyewunmi Jacobs (MFR) 11/07/1942 – 16/09/2026,’ the post said.

In the same message, the family appealed to bloggers and social media influencers ‘to respect our family's privacy at this time.’

Jacobs is survived by Silva, their children and their grandchildren. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of the time of filing this report.

The marriage was also a working partnership. Together, Jacobs and Silva founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, where the couple trained and mentored generations of younger actors.

Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs was a founding figure of modern Nigerian acting. His career ran for more than five decades across stage, television and film in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

He appeared in hundreds of productions, among them The Dogs of War, Vigilante, Omeruah's Advice, Blood Diamond and Dry, and was widely recognised for his deep voice and screen presence.

In 2007, the Nigerian government named him a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to the arts.