The family of veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has announced the death of the celebrated thespian at the age of 84.
His sons made the announcement in a joint statement shared on Instagram, saying the actor died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The family described Jacobs as much more than an accomplished actor, paying tribute to him as a devoted father, husband, grandfather and uncle whose influence extended beyond the entertainment industry.
The announcement marks the end of the life and career of one of Nigeria’s most recognised veteran actors, whose work spanned Nigerian theatre and film as well as British television and international productions.
Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs on July 11, 1942, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before embarking on a career that established him as a prominent figure in African theatre and cinema.
He received several honours during his career, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a lifetime achievement award at the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Jacobs was married to fellow veteran actress Joke Silva, with whom he built a celebrated partnership both in the entertainment industry and in family life.
The family’s announcement comes after years in which reports of the actor’s death had repeatedly circulated and were publicly denied. In June 2024, his son Soji Jacobs told Channels Television that his father was alive, following another wave of death rumours.
In their latest announcement, his sons urged the public to remember their father not only for his achievements on stage and screen, but also for the role he played within his family.
Olu Jacobs’ death at 84 brings to a close the life of a veteran whose career helped connect Nigeria’s theatrical tradition with the modern film industry.
