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Veteran Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has paid tribute to the late legendary actor Olu Jacobs, describing him as a major influence in her journey and the person who helped shape her into the actress she is today.
Sobowale spoke at the tribute service of songs held on Wednesday in honour of Jacobs, where she reflected on his impact on her career and the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The actress said audiences often celebrate her acting ability without knowing the person who played an important role in developing her talent.
According to Sobowale, Jacobs was not only an accomplished actor but also a teacher whose knowledge, wisdom and selflessness influenced those around him.
“When people see Sola Sobowale, they say she is a fantastic actor, but somebody trained me and Baba Olu Jacobs was that person who trained me. Man of knowledge, wisdom and a selfless man,” she said.
Sobowale Remembers Her Mentor
Sobowale’s tribute highlighted the personal relationship she shared with Jacobs and the role he played in her development as an actor.
While she has built a successful career and become one of Nollywood’s respected performers, the actress acknowledged that her journey was influenced by people who guided her along the way.
For Sobowale, Jacobs was one of those important figures.
Her description of him as a man of knowledge and wisdom reflected the respect she had for his professional experience and his willingness to pass his knowledge on to others.
Jacobs was widely regarded as one of the prominent figures in Nigerian acting, with a career that crossed theatre, television and film.
His influence extended beyond the roles he played on screen, as he also worked with and mentored younger performers throughout his long career.
A Career Spanning Decades
Olu Jacobs died at the age of 84 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after years of battling ill health.
His family announced his death in a statement, describing him as “The Lion of Lufodo.”
The title reflected the place he occupied within the Lufodo Productions legacy and the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Jacobs’ career spanned more than five decades, during which he worked across British theatre, television and Nollywood.
Before becoming a major figure in Nigerian film, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, one of the institutions associated with professional theatre training.
His training and extensive experience helped establish him as an accomplished performer whose career extended across different forms of acting.
Remembering A Nigerian Acting Icon
Throughout his career, Jacobs appeared in numerous stage productions, television projects and Nigerian films.
His work contributed to the growth of professional acting in Nigeria, while his presence in Nollywood helped connect the industry’s emerging film culture with the traditions of theatre and television.
For many actors who worked with him, his influence went beyond his performances.
Sobowale’s tribute offered a personal example of the impact Jacobs had on colleagues and younger performers.
By publicly acknowledging him as the person who trained her, she also drew attention to the importance of mentorship within the entertainment industry.
Her comments showed that behind the success of many celebrated actors are individuals who provide guidance, knowledge and opportunities during the early stages of their careers.
Tributes Continue
The Wednesday service brought together members of the entertainment industry, family, friends and admirers to remember the late actor and celebrate his life.
Tributes from colleagues have continued to highlight different aspects of Jacobs’ personality and career, from his acting ability to his contributions to the development of other performers.
For Sobowale, however, his most significant legacy was personal.
She remembered him as the man who helped shape her acting journey and contributed to the actress she eventually became.
As the industry continues to mourn Jacobs, stories about his influence on colleagues such as Sobowale provide another perspective on the legacy he leaves behind.
His more than five decades in the profession established him as a major figure in acting, while his reported mentorship of performers helped extend his influence beyond his own body of work.
Sobowale’s tribute therefore served not only as a farewell to a celebrated colleague but also as a public acknowledgement of the teacher behind her own celebrated career.
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