Nollywood has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Nigerian actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs.The legendary actor died at the age of 84.
His son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
In the statement, the family described the late actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy during the period of mourning.
Olu Jacobs was one of Nigeria’s most respected actors, with a career spanning theatre, television and film.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in England before returning to Nigeria, where he became a major figure in Nollywood.
The actor won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007 and received several other honours for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
His death marks the end of an era for Nigerian cinema, with fans and colleagues mourning the loss of one of Nollywood’s most influential figures.
