Nollywood Icon Olu Jacobs to Be Laid to Rest October 2 as Lagos Prepares Night of Tributes
The family of veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, MFR, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has announced that the Nollywood legend will be laid to rest on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Lagos.
Jacobs, whose death on September 16 triggered widespread mourning across Nigeria’s entertainment industry and beyond, will be honoured with a church service at 10:00 a.m. at This Present House Church, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1. A private interment will follow.
Before the burial, a Night of Tributes is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. at the historic Glover Memorial Hall, 19 Marinho Road, Lagos. The gathering is expected to draw actors, filmmakers, industry veterans, mentees and admirers from Nigeria and the international film community to celebrate a career that spanned theatre, television and film.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs turned 84 shortly before his passing. For decades he was regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest actors, known for a commanding screen presence and for mentoring a generation of performers who later became household names. His influence helped elevate Nigerian theatre and film from a largely local enterprise into an industry with global reach.
Jacobs married actress Joke Silva in 1989. The couple became one of the most respected partnerships in Nigerian performing arts. Their three children — Olusoji, Olugbenga and Dayo — are expected to play central roles in the private family arrangements. Joke Silva’s 65th birthday falls on September 29, the day before the Night of Tributes, and is expected to be observed privately with the family.
Although reports in his later years referenced health challenges including dementia, Jacobs’ artistic legacy remained intact. Colleagues and admirers continue to cite his performances, professionalism and contribution to the foundation of modern Nollywood.
As Lagos prepares to host the tributes on September 30 and the final rites on October 2, the entertainment community is set to bid farewell to a figure whose name remains synonymous with excellence in Nigerian cinema.
