The family of veteran Nigerian actor, Sir Olu Jacobs, has confirmed his passing.The beloved actor died on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
His death was announced by his sons in a joint statement posted on Instagram. In the official statement, the family said the legendary actor passed away peacefully.
They described him as not just an icon of the screen, but a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle. According to the statement, Jacobs lived a fulfilled life dedicated to family, craft and service to the nation’s creative industry.
The family noted that his legacy extends far beyond his professional career, touching the lives of many who knew him personally.
They appreciated the public for their prayers and support during his years of ill-health and asked for privacy at this difficult time.
Olu Jacobs, whose full name is Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors, with a career spanning over five decades.
He featured in over 200 stage, television and film productions in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, earning numerous national and international awards.
The veteran actor was married to fellow Nollywood legend, Joke Silva, and their union, which lasted over 35 years, was admired as one of the most enduring in the industry.
In recent years, Jacobs had battled Dementia with Lewy bodies, a condition publicly disclosed by his wife in 2021, which forced him to step away from acting.
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues, fans and government officials, describing his death as the end of an era in Nollywood. Funeral arrangements, according to the family, will be announced in due course.
Many renounce personality and the Actors Guild of Nigeria are among those expected to issue official condolence messages in the coming hours.
Born on July 11, 1942, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, RADA, in London, where he began his acting career before returning to Nigeria to contribute to the growth of Nollywood.
He received several lifetime achievement awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor and the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA.
Colleagues in the industry have described him as a father figure, mentor and thorough professional whose discipline on set inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, in a preliminary reaction, said Nigeria has lost one of its finest cultural ambassadors, noting that his contributions to national unity and storytelling will never be forgotten.
Meanwhile, fans across social media have continued to share clips of his iconic roles in films such as The Dogs of War, Ashanti, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and The Mayor of Casterbridge celebrating a life well lived on stage and screen.
