OLUDOTUN BAIYEWU JACOBS (1942 – 2026)

Olu Jacobs, a celebrated actor and film executive, passed away at the age of 84. After years of acting in Britain, he returned to Nigeria in 1990, bringing with him the professionalism of a trained actor. His return coincided with the rapid growth of the home-video industry in Nigeria, where his skills were highly valued. Alongside other industry giants such as Pete Edochie, Jacobs was considered one of the "godfathers" of the Nigerian film industry.

His career spanned several distinct periods in both Nigerian and British entertainment, including stage, television, international cinema, and the emergence of Nollywood. Despite the challenges of working in a rapidly growing industry, Jacobs' training and experience shone through, with his voice often establishing character in his roles.

His contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in 2007 and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Jacobs' personal life was marked by his marriage to Joke Silva, with whom he had two children and co-founded the Lufodo Group. In recent years, Jacobs faced health challenges, including Lewy body dementia, which ultimately claimed his life.