By Lagos Panorama
Renowned Nigerian cinematographer and filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, has paid a deeply personal tribute to veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, describing him as a consummate actor whose discipline, generosity and commitment helped shape modern Nigerian cinema.
In a tribute titled “A Personal Tribute: Olu Jacobs (1942–2026)”, Kelani recalled meeting the legendary actor in London in 1978 while studying at the London Film School.
According to him, he and a group of Nigerian classmates—including Adefolu, George and Femi Aloba—were working on their final graduation project, an adaptation of Amadu Maddy’s novel No Past, No Present, No Future, which they turned into a diploma film titled Trying Times.
Kelani said Jacobs, who was then a vibrant presence at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden, agreed to lead the student production without demanding a professional fee.
His only condition, Kelani recalled, was that the young filmmakers provide him with meals throughout the three-day shoot.
The filmmaker said Jacobs’ compelling performance contributed to Trying Times earning a place in the prestigious Governors’ Screening at the London Film School, giving the young Nigerian filmmakers confidence that they were on the right path.
Years later, Kelani again had the opportunity to work with Jacobs through M-Net’s New Directions initiative, which was created to promote African storytelling and filmmaking.
As director of photography on Twins of the Rainforest, Kelani captured Jacobs alongside his wife and fellow acclaimed actress, Joke Silva, describing their on-screen chemistry as electrifying.
“The camera never forgets,” Kelani reflected, recalling the privilege of capturing their performances on 16mm celluloid film.
He remembered Jacobs for his warm smile, commanding baritone voice and his instinct to encourage and uplift everyone around him, including cast and crew.
Kelani also highlighted Jacobs’ decision to return to Nigeria after establishing an impressive career in Britain, where he had worked extensively in stage, television and international film productions, including Roman Polanski’s Pirates.
At a time when analogue video production was viewed with scepticism by many established filmmakers, Kelani said Jacobs embraced the emerging Nollywood movement and endured its considerable infrastructural challenges.
“He weathered every infrastructural limitation, pouring his immense craft and discipline into laying the bedrock of an industry that would command global attention,” Kelani stated.
Describing Jacobs as a proud son of Egbaland in Abeokuta, Kelani noted that the actor was honoured with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and received numerous lifetime achievement awards during his illustrious career.
But for Kelani, the true measure of Jacobs’ legacy goes beyond the awards.
He described the late actor as “a founding patriarch of modern Nigerian screen performance.”
“Thank you, Uncle Olu, for gracing my lens in Trying Times and Twins of the Rainforest, and for showing us what it truly means to serve the craft,” Kelani wrote.
“Sun re o. Goodnight, Uncle.”
Tunde Kelani (TK)
Renowned Cinematographer and Filmmaker
