Soji Jacobs, son of late veteran actor Olu Jacobs, has revealed how his father fiercely protected his family’s privacy despite his fame and influence in the entertainment industry.
Soji made this known while paying tribute to the late actor at a Night of Tributes held at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos on Wednesday.
Recalling his childhood, Soji said he never viewed his father through the lens of his celebrity status but simply saw him as his dad.
“I didn’t really watch his films back then. For me, he was simply Dad. We were very close because he was magnetic and genuine in his movement,” he said.
According to him, Olu Jacobs intentionally kept his professional career separate from his family life, despite the enormous attention he received from fans and colleagues.
Soji said his father maintained clear boundaries between his public and private lives.
“As much as the industry loved him and as possessive as they were of him, he always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely,” he added.
The Night of Tributes featured emotional speeches and performances celebrating the life and legacy of the veteran actor.
Olu Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Gbenga and Soji, also shared personal memories of the late actor.
Other notable personalities who paid tribute included Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokubo and Norbert Young.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, also attended the event and joined other guests in celebrating Jacobs’ contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry.
Olu Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
Born Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, the veteran actor built a career spanning theatre, television and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before returning to Nigeria, where he established himself as one of the country’s prominent actors.
Jacobs also received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
His funeral is scheduled to hold on Friday, October 2, at This Present House, Lekki, Lagos.
