Reloaded News Desk
Veteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has been laid to rest in Lagos.
Jacobs was buried on Friday, October 2, 2026, following a funeral service held at This Present House Church, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Family members, friends, colleagues and prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry gathered for the final rites of the actor, whose career spanned more than five decades across theatre, television and film.
Entertainment entrepreneur and singer Darey Art Alade performed his song Pray for Me during the service. The song featured Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.
Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, also presented his father’s biography during the funeral proceedings.
Among the dignitaries at the funeral were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The funeral followed a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held on Wednesday at Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island, where leading figures in Nollywood gathered to remember Jacobs and reflect on his contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Actors including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokubo, Segun Arinze, Rita Dominic, Femi Adebayo and others attended the tribute programme. Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was also present.
Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His death was announced by his family, who described him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and worked in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria.
He subsequently became one of the most recognisable figures in Nigerian theatre, television and film, appearing in productions in Nigeria and internationally.
Jacobs also co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts with Joke Silva, contributing to film production, distribution and the training of performers.
He was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian film industry.
The funeral marked the conclusion of the public ceremonies organised to honour Jacobs, whose career connected Nigeria’s traditional theatre and television era with the development and international growth of Nollywood.
