The iconic performer and “Lion of Lufodo” passed away following a long-standing battle with Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Veteran Nigerian actor and film icon Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has passed away at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced the actor’s passing in a statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” the statement read.
The family appealed to bloggers and media outlets to respect their privacy during their period of grief.
official family statement and tribute coverage
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) trained actor enjoyed a career spanning over five decades across stage and screen. He starred in prominent British television productions before establishing himself as a foundational pillar of modern Nollywood.
Jacobs had retreated from the public eye in recent years following his diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies, a degenerative brain condition disclosed by his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, in 2021.
His body of work includes iconic roles in theatrical productions, TV series such as The Third Eye, and hundreds of Nollywood feature films.
