10 memorable movies that defined Olu Jacobs’ remarkable acting career

The death of veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs at the age of 84 has brought renewed attention to a remarkable acting career that stretched across more than five decades.

Long before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors, Jacobs had built an international career spanning British television, theatre and cinema.

Trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Jacobs appeared in international productions before returning to Nigeria and becoming one of the defining figures of Nollywood.

As fans and colleagues celebrate his legacy, here are 10 notable films from different periods of his career.

1. Ashanti (1979)

One of Jacobs’ early international screen appearances came in the 1979 adventure drama Ashanti.

He played Commissioner Batak in the film, which featured an international cast including Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov and Kabir Bedi.

2. The Dogs of War (1980)

Jacobs appeared as a customs officer in The Dogs of War, an adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s novel directed by John Irvin.

The film starred Christopher Walken and followed mercenaries involved in a military operation in Africa.

3. Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (1985)

Jacobs played Colonel Nsogbu in the adventure film Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend.

The production centred on an expedition searching for a previously unknown dinosaur species in Africa.

4. Pirates (1986)

The Nigerian actor also appeared in Roman Polanski’s adventure comedy Pirates, playing a character named Boomako.

The production was another significant international credit during the early stages of Jacobs’ career.

5. Adesuwa (2012)

Decades later, Jacobs appeared as Ezomo in Lancelot Imasuen’s historical Nigerian film Adesuwa.

The production explored the story of a young woman against the political and social backdrop of the Benin Kingdom.

The film received multiple Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations and won three awards, including Best Nigerian Film.

6. Potomanto (2013)

Jacobs played Bankole in Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s Ghanaian-Nigerian thriller Potomanto.

The film follows an investigation that uncovers a criminal network involved in organ trafficking.

7. The Antique (2014)

Jacobs took on another royal role as Oba Akpen in the Nigerian drama-adventure The Antique.

The story follows a young woman tasked with retrieving a sacred object from forbidden territory to save a royal heir.

8. Dry (2015)

Jacobs featured in Stephanie Linus’ acclaimed drama Dry, which explored child marriage and its health and social consequences.

The film later received the Best Overall Movie (Africa) award at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

9. Oloibiri (2016)

Jacobs played Timipre in Oloibiri, a drama examining oil exploration and its consequences for communities in the Niger Delta.

The production also featured Richard Mofe-Damijo and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett.

10. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2017)

In The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, Jacobs appeared alongside his wife, Joke Silva.

The romantic comedy follows a Nigerian chef who returns home and becomes involved in efforts surrounding her family’s struggling hotel.

The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Jacobs’ body of work stretched across generations and industries, from international cinema to the rise of modern Nollywood.

His death at 84 marks the end of a career that helped shape Nigerian screen acting and opened doors for generations of performers.