Born in Kano, Trained in Britain: Things to Know About Olu Jacobs
Olu Jacobs was more than a celebrated Nollywood actor. He was one of the Nigerian performers whose career stretched across continents, generations and different forms of storytelling. Born in Kano to parents from Egba Alake, Jacobs discovered his passion for acting as a young boy before travelling to Britain to pursue formal training in the […]
Olu Jacobs, a celebrated Nollywood actor, was born in Kano in 1942 to parents of Egba Alake heritage. As a child, Jacobs developed an interest in acting through his participation in school debating and drama societies. His passion was further fueled by a chance encounter with renowned Nigerian theatre practitioner Chief Hubert Ogunde, which inspired him to pursue acting professionally.
In pursuit of formal training, Jacobs traveled to Britain and enrolled at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. Upon returning to Nigeria in 1990, he reconnected with Nigerian television audiences through the NTA detective series The Third Eye. Over the course of his career, Jacobs appeared in more than 120 Nollywood films and earned several prestigious awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007.
Jacobs married fellow actress Joke Silva in 1989 and together they built a family and a film production and distribution business called the Lufodo Group.
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