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Olu Jacobs: Memorable movies from his Hollywood and Nollywood careers
16th September, 2026 06:09 PM
The death of veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has renewed interest in the remarkable career of a performer whose work stretched across British television, international cinema and Nollywood.
Born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, the actor, widely regarded as one of the godfathers of Nollywood, built a monumental career spanning more than five decades.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London before establishing himself on stage and screen.
Jacobs began his screen career with appearances in British television productions, including The Goodies, Till Death Us Do Part, Barlow at Large, The Professionals and The Tomorrow People. He later ventured into international cinema before becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian film.
His international film career
One of Jacobs’ notable international appearances came in Ashanti, the 1979 adventure film starring Michael Caine and Peter Ustinov. Jacobs played Commissioner Batak in the production.
He later appeared in The Dogs of War (1980), a film adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel, where he played a customs officer.
In 1985, Jacobs featured in Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, a Touchstone Pictures adventure film, playing Colonel Nsogbu.
He also appeared in Roman Polanski’s 1986 adventure-comedy Pirates, adding another international production to his growing filmography.
These roles came before Jacobs became deeply associated with the Nigerian film industry, where his career would span decades.
Olu Jacobs and Nollywood
After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs became a major figure in Nigerian theatre, television and film. He starred in NTA’s The Third Eye as Inspector Best Idafa and later appeared in numerous Nigerian productions.
Among the notable Nigerian films associated with his career are Adesuwa, Potomanto, Oloibiri, Dry and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel.
In Oloibiri, released in 2015, Jacobs played a role in the film’s exploration of the impact of oil discovery and exploitation in Nigeria. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, released in 2017, was another prominent later production in his filmography.
His body of work in Nigeria ran into more than 120 films, according to several biographical accounts, while Lufodo Group, which he co-founded with his wife, actress Joke Silva, describes his broader Nigerian film work as spanning more than 300 movies.
Awards and honours
Jacobs’ contribution to acting was recognised through several major awards.
In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Dancing Heart.
Four years later, in 2011, the Nigerian government conferred on him the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his contribution to the film industry.
In 2013, he received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for his achievements in acting.
AMAA later honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, recognising his extensive contribution to African cinema.
He was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2021, adding to a long list of recognitions accumulated during his career.
Beyond his film roles and awards, Jacobs also helped develop the creative industry through the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which he established with Silva.
His career therefore extended beyond the movies themselves, connecting British theatre and television, international cinema and the development of Nollywood across several generations.
