10 Iconic Movies That Featured Late Nollywood Veteran Olu Jacobs

The death of veteran Nigerian actor and film executive Olu Jacobs at the age of 84 has renewed attention on a remarkable acting career that spanned more than five decades and crossed several continents.

Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026. His passing marked the end of an era for an actor whose career extended from British theatre and international cinema to the development of modern Nollywood.

Long before becoming one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian film, Jacobs trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He subsequently worked in British theatre and television before securing roles in international film productions.

His career featured a wide range of performances, including adventure films, historical dramas, thrillers, social-issue productions and romantic comedies.

Here are 10 films that highlight different stages of Jacobs’ extensive career.

1. Ashanti — 1979

One of Jacobs’ earliest recorded screen appearances came in the 1979 adventure film Ashanti. The production featured international stars including Michael Caine, Peter Ustinov and Kabir Bedi.

Jacobs portrayed Commissioner Batak in the film, marking an early chapter in his international screen career.

At the time, Nigeria’s modern film industry had not yet developed into the global entertainment force it would eventually become, making Jacobs’ international experience particularly notable.

2. The Dogs of War — 1980

Jacobs continued his international film career with The Dogs of War, released in 1980.

The movie was adapted from Frederick Forsyth’s novel and directed by John Irvin. It starred Christopher Walken and followed a group of mercenaries involved in a military operation in an unnamed African country.

Jacobs appeared as a Customs Officer, adding another international credit to his growing résumé.

3. Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend — 1985

In 1985, Jacobs featured in Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend, an adventure production from Touchstone Pictures.

He played Colonel Nsogbu in the film, which centred on researchers who encounter an undiscovered dinosaur species during an expedition in Africa.

The production further demonstrated Jacobs’ ability to work within international productions alongside actors and filmmakers from different backgrounds.

4. Pirates — 1986

Jacobs also appeared in Roman Polanski’s Pirates, released in 1986.

He played Boomako in the adventure comedy, which starred Walter Matthau as Captain Red.

The role added another international production to Jacobs’ filmography and demonstrated the range of projects he was involved in before Nigerian cinema became the dominant focus of his career.

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A major presence in African cinema

5. Adesuwa — 2012

Decades after his early international appearances, Jacobs returned to historical African storytelling with Adesuwa.

Directed by Lancelot Imasuen, the film draws from the history and traditional setting of the Benin Kingdom. Jacobs played Ezomo.

The story follows a young woman whose experiences become connected to the political and social structures of the kingdom.

Adesuwa earned several Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations and won three awards, including Best Nigerian Film.

6. Potomanto — 2013

Jacobs took on the role of Bankole in Potomanto, a Ghanaian-Nigerian thriller directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso.

The film centres on an investigation that exposes a criminal network involved in organ trafficking.

Jacobs appeared alongside actors including Adjetey Anang and Yvonne Okoro. The movie premiered in Ghana in December 2013.

7. The Antique — 2014

In the 2014 drama-adventure The Antique, Jacobs portrayed Oba Akpen.

The story follows a young woman who is sent to recover a sacred antique from a forbidden location, with the mission connected to the survival of a royal heir.

Directed by Darasen Richards and DJ Tee, the film featured Bimbo Akintola, Gabriel Afolayan and Funsho Adeolu alongside Jacobs.

Tackling social and political issues

8. Dry — 2015

Jacobs appeared in Stephanie Linus’ Dry, a film dealing with the consequences of child marriage.

He played a Speaker in the production, which explores the experiences of young girls affected by child marriage and examines the health and social consequences associated with the practice.

Released in 2015, the film later received recognition at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, where it won Best Overall Movie (Africa).

9. Oloibiri — 2016

Jacobs turned to Nigeria’s oil-producing region in Oloibiri, a 2016 film directed by Curtis Graham.

He played Timipre in the production, which explores the impact of oil exploration on communities in the Niger Delta through a fictionalised narrative connected to Oloibiri.

The film featured Richard Mofe-Damijo, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Daniel K. Daniel among its cast and premiered in Lagos in October 2016.

10. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel — 2017

One of Jacobs’ notable later appearances came in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, a romantic comedy directed by Ishaya Bako.

Jacobs played Richard in the film, which follows a Nigerian chef who returns home and becomes involved in the struggle to save her family’s hotel.

The movie also featured Joke Silva, Jacobs’ wife, alongside Zainab Balogun and Kenneth Okolie.

The Royal Hibiscus Hotel was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, adding another international platform to Jacobs’ long career.

From international adventure productions in the 1970s and 1980s to historical dramas, social-issue films and contemporary Nigerian cinema, Olu Jacobs demonstrated remarkable versatility.

His filmography crossed genres, countries and generations. His career not only established him as a respected performer but also connected different eras of African and international cinema.

As tributes continue to follow his death, these films offer a glimpse into the breadth of a career that helped make Olu Jacobs one of Nigeria’s most enduring screen figures.