Olu Jacobs funeral: Hamzat, Amosun join Nollywood’s Lekki farewell

Updated 11:30pm WAT, Monday, 5 October 2026: Olu Jacobs was buried at a private cemetery after the Lekki service on Friday, 2 October, ThisDay reported.

Veteran actor Olu Jacobs was honoured at a funeral service at This Present House church in Lekki, Lagos, on Friday, 2 October 2026, 16 days after he died at 84. Family, friends and Nollywood colleagues filled the church, TVC News reported at 11:14am WAT.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, the governor’s wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun were among the guests at the Olu Jacobs funeral, according to TVC News. His son, Olugbenga Jacobs, presented his father’s biography during the service.

Then came the music. Dare Art Alade, the singer and entertainment entrepreneur known as Darey, performed his song “Pray for Me”, which TVC News said featured Olu Jacobs and his wife, actress Joke Silva. He was then buried privately the same day: ThisDay reported on Saturday, 3 October that his remains were interred at a private cemetery after the church service. Arts and culture minister Hannatu Musawa was also among the dignitaries, the paper said.

How did the farewell for Olu Jacobs unfold?

The farewell took 16 days, from his death to Friday’s church service. GistMatrix put the dates together from the family’s notice, tier-1 reports and our own coverage:

16 September: Olu Jacobs dies aged 84, Premium Times reports.

22 September: The family announces a Night of Tributes for Wednesday, 30 September, at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, and the 2 October funeral service, followed by a private burial (Blueprint).

25 September: Pete Edochie, 79, pays tribute to his old colleague and to Joke Silva, Premium Times reports.

29 September: Joke Silva turns 65, a day before the Night of Tributes, as GistMatrix reported.

30 September: Nollywood colleagues gather at Glover Memorial Hall for the Night of Tributes (TVC News).

2 October: The funeral service holds at This Present House, Lekki, and he is buried at a private cemetery afterwards (ThisDay).

Who was Olu Jacobs?

Olu Jacobs worked in British theatre and television before coming home to become one of Nollywood’s leading men. Born in Kano on 11 July 1942, of Egba heritage from Abeokuta, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the BBC, according to Premium Times.

He married Joke Silva in 1989. Together they founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts in Lagos. His honours include the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, an Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.

What happens next

The burial was the final listed event in the family’s funeral programme. As of Thursday, 15 October, the family had not named the cemetery, announced any further memorial event or issued a further public statement since the burial.

FAQ

When was the Olu Jacobs funeral?
The funeral service held at 10am on Friday, 2 October 2026, at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, according to the family’s notice.

How old was Olu Jacobs when he died?
He was 84. He was born on 11 July 1942 and died on 16 September 2026, Premium Times reported.

Where was Olu Jacobs buried?
He was buried at a private cemetery on Friday, 2 October 2026, after the funeral service in Lekki, ThisDay reported. The family has not named the cemetery.

Did Olu Jacobs’ work shape your love of Nollywood? Share your favourite role in the comments.

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