Olu Jacobs, a veteran Nigerian actor and one of the pioneers of Nollywood, has died at the age of 84, his family announced Wednesday. Jacobs' career, which spanned more than five decades, played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s film industry and promoting its talents on the global stage.

Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, was a foundational figure in Nollywood, Nigeria’s vibrant movie industry, known for its prolific output as the world’s second-largest film industry after Bollywood. Over his extensive career, Jacobs appeared in more than 200 productions across theatre, television, and film.

His son, Olusoji Jacobs, shared the news of his father’s passing on Instagram, describing his life as “well lived and fought.” Jacobs’ impact was widely acknowledged by prominent figures, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who described him as a “giant of the Nigerian creative industry” and credited him with helping to build Nigeria’s cultural identity. “His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts,” Tinubu said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also a candidate in Nigeria’s upcoming presidential elections, praised Jacobs as more than an actor, calling him “an institution, a cultural icon and one of the finest ambassadors of our creative spirit” in a post on the social media platform X.

Born in Lagos, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and began his career in the 1970s with roles in British television series such as "The Goodies," "The Professionals," and "The Tomorrow People." He was married to Joke Silva, a respected Nollywood actress and filmmaker, who revealed in 2021 that Jacobs had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.

Throughout his career, Jacobs received numerous accolades, including the Africa Movie Academy Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), underscoring his enduring influence in the industry. Nollywood, producing roughly 2,000 films annually, continues to be a major cultural force in Africa and beyond, in part due to contributions from figures like Jacobs.