Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, the veteran Nigerian actor and film executive popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84. His son Olusoji Jacobs announced his passing on Instagram on Wednesday 16th September 2026. The family confirmed he died after what they described as a life well lived and fought.

In their statement, the family referred to him as The Lion of Lufodo and called on bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn. He was born on 11th July 1942 and died on 16th September 2026.

Olu Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and built an early career in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of the most commanding and instantly recognisable presences in Nigerian cinema. His deep voice, measured authority, and ability to inhabit characters of power with complete conviction made him one of the most sought-after actors in Nollywood across several decades. He was known for his performances in productions including The Figurine, The Narrow Path, and a vast catalogue of Nigerian films that defined multiple generations of the industry.

He was a recipient of the Member of the Federal Republic honour and 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. Alongside his wife, legendary actress Joke Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group, a media corporation comprising film production and distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, one of the most respected performing arts training institutions in Nigeria.

His wife Joke Silva had previously revealed in an interview that he had been battling Lewy body dementia since 2021, a condition that had kept him out of the public eye in his final years. Despite multiple rounds of social media rumours about his death in years prior, he had remained alive, attending AFRIFF in November 2021 where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in person. His death today is the confirmation that those closest to him had long been quietly preparing for.

He is survived by his wife Joke Silva, his son Olusoji Jacobs, and the rest of his family.

Nollywood has lost one of its true giants. May his soul rest in peace.