The National Film and Video Censors Board has joined the Nigerian entertainment industry and millions around the world in mourning the passing of Oludotun Jacobs MFR, the veteran actor and film executive popularly known as Olu Jacobs, who died on Wednesday 16th September 2026 at the age of 84.
In a formal tribute issued by the Board, the NFVCB described the late actor as a titan of Nigerian and African cinema and theatre whose rich booming voice, impeccable diction, and unmatched gravitas set the gold standard for acting across the continent. The Board noted that his contributions went far beyond individual performances, saying he elevated the cultural prestige of Nigerian film and proved to the world that Nigerian stories deserve the grandest stages.
The NFVCB traced his journey from his early training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and his appearances on international stages, to his foundational role in shaping the identity of modern Nigerian theatre and Nollywood, describing his career as a masterclass in artistic excellence. The Board also honoured his close colleagues and younger industry members who knew him personally, acknowledging that he was fondly called Uncle Olu by those who worked alongside him.
Referring to him as the Lion of Lufodo, a name the Jacobs family used in their own official announcement of his death, the NFVCB said that although he had completed his final act, his footprints are permanently etched into the history of global cinema and theatre.
The Board concluded its tribute with the words: "We say goodnight to an incomparable legend and a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace."
Olu Jacobs is survived by his wife, legendary actress Joke Silva, with whom he co-founded the Lufodo Group, a media corporation comprising film production and distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. He received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival in 2021
