LAGOS — Celebrated names across Nigerian cinema, theatre, and the creative arts gathered at the historic Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island on Wednesday night, September 30, 2026, for an emotional Night of Tributes celebrating the iconic life and career of veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs.
The ceremony marked the first major public gathering in the funeral program following the death of the 84-year-old movie icon on September 16, 2026, drawing generations of colleagues, cultural figures, and admirers who dressed in designated shades of blue to honor the beloved screen patriarch.
Industry stalwarts including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokubo, Jide Kosoko, and Funke Akindele delivered deeply moving personal reflections, recounting Jacobs’ unmatched stage discipline, generosity on set, and his transformative mentorship that helped shape modern Nollywood.
The late actor’s son, Soji Jacobs, shared intimate memories of growing up with his father, emphasizing how the “Lion of Lufodo” maintained a grounded domestic life while fiercely protecting his family’s privacy despite decades of fame and public adoration.
The funeral proceedings for the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) will culminate on Friday, October 2, 2026, with a formal funeral service at This Present House in Lekki, Lagos, followed by a private family interment.
