Olu Jacobs’ funeral will hold on October 2 in Lagos, following a Night of Tributes on September 30 as family and colleagues honour his legacy
Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, will be laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, October 2, 2026, as his family prepares a two-day farewell to the celebrated actor following his death at the age of 84.
The family has scheduled a Night of Tributes for Wednesday, September 30, at 4 p.m. at Glover Memorial Hall, 19 Marina Road, Lagos Island. Guests attending the tribute ceremony have been asked to wear shades of blue.
The main funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 2, at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The family has chosen shades of green as the dress code for the funeral service.
Jacobs’ widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, has also invited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to attend the funeral ceremonies.
In a letter dated September 23, Silva thanked Tinubu for his condolence message following Jacobs’ death and for recognising the actor’s contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry.
She said the President’s support and prayers had brought comfort to the family.
“Your Excellency’s presence would be a great honour to our family and would mean a great deal to us as we gather to pay our final respects to a man who devoted over five decades of his life to the arts and to the enrichment of Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” Silva wrote.
The Night of Tributes is expected to bring together members of Jacobs’ family, friends, colleagues, industry veterans and admirers who want to reflect on his remarkable career before the final funeral service.
Jacobs died on September 16, 2026. His wife and son, Olusoji Jacobs, announced his death in a family statement that described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealed for privacy during the mourning period.
Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs built a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film.
Before becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognised screen actors, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked with major British and international institutions.
His career included appearances in British television productions and work associated with organisations including the BBC, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He later returned to Nigeria and became an influential figure in the development of the country’s film and television industry.
Beyond acting, Jacobs and Silva built a shared legacy through the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to film production, distribution and the training of performers.
Jacobs also received major recognition during his career, including an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR.
His death prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, filmmakers, political leaders and admirers, many of whom reflected on his influence across successive generations of Nigerian performers.
With the Olu Jacobs funeral programme now confirmed, the September 30 Night of Tributes will offer an opportunity for those who knew and worked with the actor to celebrate his life, while the October 2 service will mark the final stage of his farewell in Lagos.
