Curtain falls on Olu Jacobs as Nollywood superstar is laid to rest

Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has been laid to rest in Lagos after a funeral service attended by members of his family, colleagues, friends and prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

The service was held on Friday at the Freedom Centre in Lekki, bringing to a close ceremonies held in honour of the acclaimed actor, who died in September aged 82.

Among those present were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Nollywood stars at the ceremony included Shaffy Bello, Keppy Ekpeyong, Stan Nze, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Ireti Doyle, Lala Akindoju, Kate Henshaw, OC Ukeje, Patrick Doyle, Stephanie Okereke and Ernest Obi.

The burial followed a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held earlier in the week at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, where Jacobs was remembered for his acting career, mentorship and generosity.

His sons, Gbenga and Soji, offered deeply personal tributes, recalling a father who remained a private family man despite his enormous public profile.

Soji said his father was “magnetic” and genuine, adding that family remained his priority.

“I didn’t really watch his films back then. For me, he was simply Dad. We were very close because he was magnetic and genuine in his movement,” he said.

“As much as the industry loved him and as possessive as they were of him, he always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely.”

Several actors also spoke about Jacobs’ influence on their careers. Sola Sobowale described him as a mentor who helped shape her craft, while Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, said Jacobs was a father figure to many actors.

“Uncle Olu was more than a colleague; he was a father figure to many of us. His professionalism, discipline and commitment to excellence set a standard we continue to aspire to. His legacy is not just in the films he made, but in the people he inspired and the industry he helped build,” RMD said.

Norbert Young recalled working with Jacobs on The Third Eye after the actor returned to Nigeria in 1990. He said the opportunity to spend time with Jacobs was a valuable period of learning.

“I’m here to praise Uncle Olu Jacobs, not to mourn him. I am not going to mourn Uncle Olu. It’s not possible,” Young said.

Born in 1942 to parents from Egba Alake, Jacobs grew up in Kano before travelling to Britain, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

He built a career in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria in 1990. His subsequent work in productions including The Third Eye and numerous Nigerian films established him as one of the most respected figures in the country’s acting industry.

Jacobs received several honours during his career, including the 2021 Africa International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2022 Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria Icon Award and the Industry Merit Award at the 2023 AMVCA.

His final burial has brought to an end a series of tributes celebrating a career that spanned theatre, television and film, and an influence that extended across generations of Nigerian actors.