Olu Jacobs Goes Home: The Final Farewell Begins in Lagos

The funeral mass for veteran Nollywood actor Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, is underway at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, as family members, colleagues, friends and dignitaries gather to pay their final respects to the late actor.Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

His funeral service is being held today, Friday, October 2, following a Night of Tributes at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, on Wednesday, September 30.

A live coverage of the funeral showed Jacobs’ widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, at the service, dressed in blue.

Jacobs’ casket was placed in front of the church and decorated with flowers as the funeral mass got underway.

HAMZAT, AMOSUN, OTHERS ATTEND

Among the dignitaries announced at the service are Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos State First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

Hamzat attended with his wife, Oluremi Hamzat. Other members of the entertainment industry and guests also gathered at the church to honour Jacobs, whose career spanned theatre, television and film for more than five decades.

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MUSIC AND FAMILY TRIBUTES

Entertainment entrepreneur Dare Art Alade was among those at the ceremony and performed his song, Pray for Me, which featured Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva.

Olugbenga Jacobs, one of the late actor’s sons, also presented his father’s biography as part of the activities marking the funeral.

The funeral follows Wednesday’s Night of Tributes, where actors, filmmakers and other members of the creative industry gathered to remember Jacobs and reflect on his career and contribution to Nigerian entertainment.

OLU JACOBS’ CAREER

Jacobs, born on July 11, 1942, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before building an international career in theatre, television and film.He later returned to Nigeria and became one of the most recognised actors in the country’s film and television industry.

Together with Joke Silva, he was associated with the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, extending his contribution beyond acting into production, distribution and the training of performers.

His career earned him several honours, including the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, and an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

PRIVATE BURIAL TO FOLLOW

The family had earlier announced that the funeral service would be followed by a private burial.

Guests at Friday’s funeral were asked to attend in shades of green, while the dress code for Wednesday’s Night of Tributes was shades of blue.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the funeral service marks the final public farewell to one of Nigeria’s most recognised veteran actors, with his family, colleagues, friends and public figures gathering in Lagos to honour his life and career.