Veteran actor Olu Jacobs dies at 84 after Lewy body dementia battle

Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Jacobs, widely known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced the passing in an Instagram statement on Wednesday, describing him as "The Lion of Lufodo" and requesting privacy for the family as they mourn. The family noted that Jacobs had been diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies in November 2021, a condition that eventually led to his retirement from acting and required ongoing care from his loved ones.

Olu Jacobs’ career stretched over fifty years across theatre, television and film. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he appeared in British television productions before returning to Nigeria, where he became a leading figure in the nation’s growing entertainment industry. He featured in more than 100 films, often portraying authoritative characters, and earned the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007. In 2011, the Federal Government honoured him with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Together with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, he founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, shaping training and production in Nigeria’s creative sector.

His death adds to the recent loss of other veterans such as Sir Kay in December 2022 and Rachel Oniga in July 2021. How will you honour Olu Jacobs' legacy - by revisiting his classic performances, supporting emerging talent, or reflecting on the standards he set for Nigerian cinema?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/16/veteran-actor-olu-jacobs-dies-at-84/