Olu Jacobs Funeral Mass Underway in Lagos as Hamzat, Amosun, Others Attend
Funeral mass for veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs is underway in Lagos as Joke Silva, family members, Hamzat, Amosun and other dignitaries gather to honour the late actor.
The funeral mass for veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs is underway at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as family members, friends, colleagues and prominent Nigerians gather to pay their final respects to one of the country's most celebrated actors.
The service, holding on Friday, October 2, 2026, has brought together members of Nigeria's entertainment industry, political figures and other dignitaries to honour the late actor, who died on September 16 at the age of 84.
Jacobs' widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, were present at the service, dressed in blue. The late actor's casket was placed prominently at the front of the church and decorated with flowers as mourners gathered for the ceremony. (Punch Newspapers)
Hamzat, Amosun, Sanwo-Olu and Others Attend
Among the dignitaries reported at the funeral are Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Oluremi Hamzat; Lagos State First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
Their presence reflects the broad public interest surrounding the death and funeral of Jacobs, whose career extended across theatre, television and film for more than five decades.
Other members of the entertainment industry have also gathered at the venue to honour the actor and celebrate his contribution to Nigerian arts and culture.
The funeral follows a Night of Tributes held on Wednesday, September 30, at Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island, where actors, filmmakers, friends and associates reflected on Jacobs' career and personal legacy. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Joke Silva and Family Lead Final Farewell
Joke Silva has remained at the centre of the funeral proceedings as the family gives the late actor his final farewell.
The couple's sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga, have also participated in the ceremonies. At Friday's service, Olugbenga presented his father's biography as part of the programme, providing another opportunity for the family to document and celebrate Jacobs' extraordinary life.
Entertainment entrepreneur Dare Art Alade also performed his song Pray for Me, which featured Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, adding a musical tribute to the funeral service. (Trending News)
The emotional gathering has provided colleagues and admirers an opportunity to remember Jacobs beyond his screen performances, highlighting his influence on generations of Nigerian actors and filmmakers.
A Career That Spanned More Than Five Decades
Born on July 11, 1942, Olu Jacobs built a career that stretched from theatre and British television to Nigerian cinema and the development of modern Nollywood.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and subsequently worked in British theatre and television before returning to Nigeria.
His international career included appearances in British television productions and films, while his Nigerian career established him as one of the most recognisable faces and voices in the country's entertainment industry.
Jacobs became particularly known for his commanding screen presence, distinctive voice and ability to portray characters ranging from traditional rulers and chiefs to patriarchs and authority figures.
He appeared in numerous Nigerian productions and became one of the actors associated with the growth and professionalisation of Nollywood.
His work earned him several awards and honours, including the 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).
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva's Creative Partnership
Beyond acting, Jacobs and Silva built an important partnership within Nigeria's creative industry.
The couple co-founded the Lufodo Group and established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to the training of performers and the development of professional standards within the entertainment sector.
Their relationship also became one of the most recognised partnerships in Nigerian entertainment.
Following Jacobs' death, the family described him as “The Lion of Lufodo”, a reference to both his stature in the entertainment industry and the creative enterprise he built with his wife.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media users to respect their privacy during the mourning period.
Tributes Followed His Death
Jacobs' death generated widespread tributes from political leaders, actors, filmmakers and members of the public.
President Bola Tinubu described him as a major figure in Nigeria's creative industry and praised his contribution to the country's cultural identity and international image.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also described Jacobs as an institution and cultural icon whose work had become part of the collective memory of generations of Nigerians.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described Jacobs as one of the pillars of Nigeria's entertainment industry and highlighted his contribution to developing younger creative practitioners.
The National Film and Video Censors Board similarly praised his contribution to Nigerian and African cinema and theatre.
Final Farewell to a Nollywood Veteran
Friday's funeral service marks the culmination of a series of ceremonies organised to honour Olu Jacobs following his death.
The funeral programme had earlier announced the Night of Tributes for September 30 and the main funeral service for October 2 at This Present House in Lekki. Guests were requested to attend the funeral service in shades of green.
As family members, colleagues and dignitaries gather in Lagos, the ceremony is serving as a final public farewell to an actor whose career crossed generations and continents.
For Nigerian theatre, television and film, Jacobs' death represents the passing of one of the industry's most recognisable veterans. His performances, professional career and contribution to training younger practitioners have become important parts of the history of Nigeria's creative sector.
With Joke Silva, their children, fellow actors, government officials and friends gathered in Lekki, the funeral mass is providing a solemn conclusion to the public ceremonies celebrating the life of the “Lion of Lufodo.”
His final farewell is not only a moment of mourning for his family and colleagues, but also an occasion for Nigeria's entertainment community to reflect on a career that helped shape the country's performing arts and film industry for more than five decades.