+34Veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday following a funeral service at This Present House in Lekki, with family, colleagues and dignitaries paying tribute after a Night of Tributes earlier in the week.
Veteran Nollywood actor Oludotun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, bringing to a close the funeral ceremonies for one of Nigeria's most celebrated actors.
He died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His burial followed a funeral service at This Present House on Freedom Way in Lekki, Lagos, where family members, friends, colleagues and dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to the thespian. The atmosphere was solemn as Jacobs' widow and veteran actress, Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, joined mourners at the service.
Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest
The burial came two days after a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island. His body was later taken to a private cemetery for interment. Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were the Lagos State First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Oluremi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
The entertainment industry was also well represented. Singer and entertainment entrepreneur Darey Art Alade delivered one of the emotional highlights of the service. Darey performed his song, Pray For Me, which featured Jacobs and Silva in its music video. The performance held special significance as the song and video had brought the late actor and his wife together on screen.
Joke Silva and others sang along. Another poignant moment came when Jacobs' son, Olugbenga, presented his father's biography during the funeral proceedings. The Night of Tributes drew Nollywood stars, filmmakers and friends who gathered to celebrate the actor's life and career. Among those who attended the tribute were Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Segun Arinze, Rita Dominic, Emeka Ike, Femi Adebayo, Desmond Elliot, Kate Henshaw, Ejike Asiegbu, Keppy Ekpenyong, Norbert Young and Saka.
Colleagues Remember a Nollywood Legend
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was also present. The Night of Tributes featured personal recollections, musical performances, Bible readings and a candlelight procession, with several of Jacobs' colleagues reflecting on his influence on their careers. RMD recalled a lesson Jacobs taught him about the importance of every actor and every line in a production, while Sobowale spoke about the encouragement she received from the veteran actor early in her career.
Kate Henshaw and Hilda Dokubo also remembered Jacobs for his generosity and support for colleagues. Veteran actress Patience Ozokwor, who is currently in Ghana, said contractual obligations prevented her from attending the burial in person. In a message shared on her Instagram page, she wrote: It hurts my heart that I am not physically present in Nigeria today to pay my last respects to the great legend, Olu Jacobs.
I would give anything to be there right now, but contractual obligations will not allow me to. She added: My heart and thoughts are with you all. I pray everything goes peacefully and that his remarkable legacy lives on. Though I may not be there in person, please know that I am with you all in spirit.
Tributes Celebrate a Remarkable Legacy
Rest well, great legend. Your legacy will forever remain. Go well, great legend. Ga nke Oma.
Until we meet to part no more. NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi said he was saddened by the death, describing Jacobs as an embodiment of Nigerian excellence whose life demonstrated the power of talent, discipline, professionalism, and dedication to one's craft. Actress Rita Dominic also paid tribute, describing Jacobs as an icon and a gift to the film industry, adding that she was privileged to work with him and learn from him.
Veteran actor Pete Edochie described Jacobs as his brother, saying he fought like a man and a soldier, and recalled him as humorous and peaceful. Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working in British theatre and television, and later became one of Nigeria's most prominent actors. His career spanned decades and left a lasting mark on Nollywood and the performing arts. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
LeadershipNGA 
TheNationNews:Why I missed Olu Jacobs’ funeral in Lagos - Patience Ozokwor 
MobilePunch:Tributes as Nollywood icon Olu Jacobs takes final bowThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Burial Nollywood Joke Silva Tributes Lagos Funeral Night Of Tributes
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Olu Jacobs funeral mass held in Lagos as Hamzat, Amosun, Sanwo-Olu attendThe funeral mass for Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs took place Friday at This Present House in Lekki, Lagos, with family, dignitaries and colleagues gathered to bid farewell. A private burial followed the service.
Read more »
VIDEO: Veteran Nollywood Actor Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in LagosVeteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has been laid to rest in Lagos.
Read more »
Dignitaries, Family Gather In Lagos For Late Olu Jacobs’ Funeral MassFamily members, Nollywood colleagues, and prominent government officials gathered at This Present House in Lekki, Lagos, on Friday, October 2, 2026, for the
Read more »
Olu Jacobs Buried in Lagos After Funeral Service and Night of TributesVeteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday following a funeral service at This Present House in Lekki, with family, colleagues and dignitaries paying tribute after a Night of Tributes earlier in the week.
Read more »