Nollywood has lost its lion. And honestly, Nigeria has lost a giant.

If you grew up watching NTA, Africa Magic or those classic stage plays, you knew that voice. That presence. That effortless way Olu Jacobs could own a scene without even trying.

BREAKING: Veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

In the statement, the family said:

“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 Baiyewun Jacobs (MFR) 11/07/1942-16/09/2026. We call on all bloggers and social media influencers to respect our families privacy at this time.”

The post was made from his son's account @mrjacobs_jnr, describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and asking for privacy.

This wasn't just any actor. This was Uncle Olu.

Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on 11th July 1942 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he did what few dared to do in the 1960s - he left for England to train at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London.

Before Nollywood even existed, he was already on British telly - *The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Professionals and more.

On the big screen, he was in international classics like John Irvin’s war film The Dogs of War (1980), Roman Polanski’s Pirates (1986) and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.

Then he came home in the late 1980s, right when Nigeria's film industry was finding its feet. Local movie lovers famously described him as one of the "godfathers of Nollywood", alongside Pete Edochie. He went on to star in over 120 Nollywood films, becoming the face of authority, wisdom and often, that mischievous chief.

For the last few years, it hasn't been easy. His beloved wife, fellow icon Joke Silva, openly shared his battle with Dementia with Lewy bodies - a condition that slowly took him away from the cameras but never from our hearts. That’s what makes that family phrase “a life well lived and fought” hit so hard.

He is survived by his wife Joke Silva, their children including Olusoji, and grandchildren. For more than 35 years, he and Joke gave us one of Nollywood’s greatest love stories - on and off screen. They built Lufodo Academy together, training the next generation.

He wasn’t just acting. He was a film executive and a bridge between two worlds - the classical British theatre he was trained in, and the vibrant, hustling Nollywood he helped legitimise.

Why should you care? Because Olu Jacobs proved Nigerian actors could be world-class without losing their Nigerian-ness.

At a time when Nollywood was dismissed as “home video”, his RADA training and international pedigree gave the industry credibility. He showed that you could do *The Dogs of War* and still come back to do a Yoruba epic. He paved the way for every Nigerian actor now on Netflix, Prime and the West End.

Nollywood is now the world’s second-largest film industry by output - over 2,000 films a year. That industry was built on the shoulders of men like him.

The Next Steps:

1. Family privacy: The family has asked for privacy. Let’s respect that - no speculation, no old fake-death rumour reshares.

2. Official statement: We are expecting a more detailed statement from the family and from Lufodo Group about funeral arrangements. His age has been confirmed as 84.

3. Tributes and legacy: Expect tributes from the Actors Guild of Nigeria, the Presidency (he was an MFR - Member of the Order of the Federal Republic), and a flood of tributes from colleagues.

4. Memorial: Industry insiders are already calling for a national tribute or renaming of a National Theatre Hall in his honour - watch this space.

The lion may have taken his final bow, but his roar will echo for generations.

We at cbinews.tv send our deepest condolences to Joke Silva and the entire Jacobs family.

Source: cbinews.tv

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