The funeral mass for late Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, with family members and dignitaries gathered to honour the actor.
A live coverage by Lufodo Productions showed Jacobs’ widow, actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, at the service, dressed in blue. Jacobs’ casket was placed in front of the church and adorned with flowers as the funeral mass got underway.
Among those announced at the service were Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Chief Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
Entertainment entrepreneur and singer Darey Art Alade was also present and performed his hit song “Pray For Me,” which featured the late actor and his wife, Joke Silva. Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, presented his father’s biography during the funeral programme.
Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
The funeral followed a Night of Tributes held on Wednesday, September 30, at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island. The event brought together several leading figures in Nollywood, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic and Segun Arinze.
At the tribute ceremony, colleagues reflected on Jacobs’ decades-long contribution to theatre, television and film. Richard Mofe-Damijo recalled a lesson the late actor taught him about the importance of every role in a production, while Sola Sobowale spoke emotionally about Jacobs’ encouragement early in her career.
Known as the “Lion of Lufodo,” Jacobs had a career spanning more than five decades. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working in British theatre and television and later becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognisable actors. He and Joke Silva, whom he married in 1989, co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to film production and the training of performers. Jacobs was also honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011.
Guests attending Friday’s funeral service were asked to wear shades of green, while a private burial followed the service.
