By Ayomide Otitoju
His death was announced on Wednesday, September 16, by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a statement shared on Instagram.
“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” Olusoji wrote.
The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn the veteran actor.
Jacobs, who was born in 1942, had a career spanning more than five decades across the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and began his acting career with appearances in British television productions, including The Goodies and The Professionals, as well as international films.
He returned to Nigeria in the 1980s and became one of the prominent figures in the development of the country’s film industry, later known as Nollywood.
Jacobs was particularly recognised for portraying authoritative characters, including traditional rulers, chiefs and father figures, earning a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected actors.
He and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, co-founded Lufodo Group, a media and performing arts company.
Jacobs received several honours for his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry, including the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011 and the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
He largely withdrew from public life in his later years, with Silva publicly discussing his health challenges in interviews.
