Tributes as Nollywood icon Olu Jacobs takes final bow

Veteran actor, Oludotun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, bringing to a close the funeral ceremonies for one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors.

Jacobs was buried following a funeral service at This Present House, Freedom Way in Lekki, Lagos, where family members, friends, colleagues and dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to the thespian.

The atmosphere was solemn as Jacobs’ widow and veteran actress, Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, joined mourners at the service.

Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were the Lagos State First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Oluremi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

The entertainment industry was also well represented, with singer and entertainment entrepreneur, Darey Art Alade, delivering one of the emotional highlights of the service.

Darey performed his song, Pray For Me, which featured Jacobs and Silva in its music video. The performance held special significance as the song and video had brought the late actor and his wife together on screen.

Another poignant moment came when Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga, presented his father’s biography during the funeral proceedings.

The burial came two days after a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, where Nollywood stars, filmmakers and friends gathered to celebrate the actor’s life and career.

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Among those who attended the tribute were Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Segun Arinze, Rita Dominic, Emeka Ike, Femi Adebayo, Desmond Elliot, Kate Henshaw, Ejike Asiegbu, Keppy Ekpenyong, Norbert Young and Saka.

The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was also present.

The Night of Tributes featured personal recollections, musical performances, Bible readings and a candlelight procession, with several of Jacobs’ colleagues reflecting on his influence on their careers.

RMD recalled a lesson Jacobs taught him about the importance of every actor and every line in a production, while Sobowale spoke about the encouragement she received from the veteran actor early in her career.

Kate Henshaw and Hilda Dokubo also remembered Jacobs for his generosity and support for colleagues.

Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working in British theatre and television and later becoming one of Nigeria’s prominent actors.

He and Silva also co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.