Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has died aged 84, prompting renewed interest in a 2012 interview in which he spoke passionately about Nollywood, acting and Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Jacobs’ death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in an Instagram post. The family referred to him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and asked bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourned.
Jacobs’ views on Nigeria’s creative industry
The resurfaced Factory 78 interview was recorded at an event with an Ogun State banner visible in the background. During the conversation, Jacobs reflected on the changing perception of Nigerian entertainment.
He recalled a period when local creative work was judged against European productions, with Nigerian efforts often viewed as inferior. However, he said that attitude had changed, including among Nigerian children born abroad, who had grown to recognise the country’s creative ability.
“There was a time when everything that we did was measured against what the Europeans did. What they did was the best and ours was the worst. But our children, even being born in foreign land, don’t think so anymore. They know that we are capable,” Jacobs said.
The veteran actor also rejected the idea that acting was an option only for people who struggled academically. He argued that performers needed intelligence to understand, develop and convincingly portray characters.
“If you are not intelligent, you cannot be on stage. You cannot understand what it means to interpret a character, to build, to put life into a character that you pick up on a piece of paper,” he said.
A career built around acting
Asked what performing meant to him, Jacobs described it as the centre of his existence and said his family shared that life with him.
“It’s my life. I don’t have any other life, and I have a family who shares that life with me too. So I am a very fulfilled man,” he said.
Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, he trained at England’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He later worked in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of Nollywood’s most recognised actors.
His honours included the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the MAA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
In 2011, he received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. Jacobs is survived by his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.
The couple shared a long-standing relationship and a common dedication to the performing arts.
Watch the throwback video of the late veteran actor below:
