Nigeria is mourning the loss of Olu Jacobs, a towering figure in the country’s film industry who died at age 84. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, confirmed his death in a statement, describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and saying his life had been “well lived and fought.” She asked bloggers and social media influencers to respect the family’s privacy during this time of grief.
Born in July 1942, Jacobs trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before building an international career that included roles in British television and film productions. He went on to become one of the founding father figures of Nollywood—the nickname for Nigeria’s massive film industry, now one of the largest in the world by output. Over more than five decades on screen, he became known for his commanding presence and range, starring in films such as My Kingdom, Covert Operation, and One Fine Day.
His achievements earned him major honors, including the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor and a lifetime achievement award. In 2011, the Nigerian government recognized his contributions by naming him a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, a national honor. Together with Silva, he co-founded the Lufodo Group and an academy dedicated to training performing artists. He had largely withdrawn from public life in recent years due to health problems.
You can read the original BBC report for more details.
Source: Legendary Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs dies aged 84 (feeds.bbci.co.uk). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: pavlinajane, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).