Olu Jacobs, the celebrated Nollywood actor known as the “Lion of Lufodo”, was laid to rest Friday in Lagos after his death on September 16, 2026 at age 84. The funeral service took place at This Present House on Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, where family, friends and a host of dignitaries gathered to honour the veteran.
Among the attendees were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo‑Olu and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Entertainment entrepreneur Dare Art Alade also performed “Pray for Me”, a song he recorded with Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.
Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, presented his father’s biography during the programme, while the night before the service, a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs was held at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island. The event drew prominent Nollywood figures such as Richard Mofe‑Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic and Segun Arinze.
Colleagues reflected on Jacobs’ five‑decade career in theatre, television and film. Mofe‑Damijo recalled a lesson on the importance of every role, while Sobowale spoke emotionally about the encouragement Jacobs gave her early in her career.
Jacobs, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and later co‑founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts with Silva, was honoured as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011.
After the service, a private burial is expected to follow. Attendees were asked to wear shades of green for the ceremony, while the earlier tribute event had a blue dress code.
