Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has been laid to rest in Lagos, bringing to a close days of tributes celebrating a career that spanned theatre, television and film.
Jacobs was buried on Friday after a funeral service at the Freedom Centre in Lekki, attended by members of his family, friends, colleagues and prominent figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. He died in September at the age of 82.
Among those who attended the service were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun. Nollywood personalities 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 on Lagos Island, where Jacobs was remembered for his acting career, mentorship and generosity.
His sons, Gbenga and Soji, offered personal tributes, recalling a father who maintained a private family life despite his prominence in the entertainment industry.
Soji described his father as “magnetic” and genuine, saying Jacobs remained simply “Dad” to his children despite his public profile.
“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,” Soji said.
Several actors also reflected on Jacobs’ influence on their careers. Actress Sola Sobowale described him as a mentor who helped shape her craft, while actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, described Jacobs as a father figure to many actors.
“Uncle Olu was more than a colleague; he was a father figure to many of us,” RMD said, recalling Jacobs’ professionalism, discipline and commitment to excellence.
Actor Norbert Young also recalled working with Jacobs on *The Third Eye* after the veteran actor returned to Nigeria in 1990. Young said the experience provided a valuable opportunity to learn from Jacobs.
“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 recognised figures in the Nigerian acting industry.
Jacobs received several honours during his career, including the Africa International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria Icon Award in 2022 and the Industry Merit Award at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
His burial brings an end to the formal ceremonies honouring an actor whose work and mentorship influenced generations of Nigerian performers.
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