* shares his final advice to young Nollywood talents
Africa Magic has joined the wave of tributes pouring in for Nollywood patriarch Olu Jacobs, honouring the legendary actor’s memory with a throwback video in which he spoke directly to the next generation of African entertainers.
Jacobs passed away on Wednesday morning, September 15, 2026, at the age of 84, following a prolonged battle with dementia.
His death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian film industry, where he spent more than five decades as one of its most commanding and respected figures.
In response to the news, Africa Magic, owned by MultiChoice, shared an archival clip on its official Instagram page that captured the actor in a reflective, energetic mood on stage, speaking candidly about resilience, consistent effort and the courage to fail.
In the video, Jacobs drew from his own journey through the industry’s most difficult years, urging younger talents never to abandon their ambitions. He said:
“If you try and you don’t succeed, you try and try and try again. There is nothing more important to me than doing my personal best in whatever I do. One does not get everything right every time. At times, you get them wrong. That has been the story of this industry for the last 20 years. We suffered all sorts of indignation, but we did not give up.”
He also spoke about the depth of African creative talent and the value of repetition in mastering a craft.
“Do what you do as an exercise every day. The repetition of an act makes its performance almost automatic. You do it every day, every day and it becomes part of you. Don’t give up. Work hard. Go,” he said.
Accompanying the clip, Africa Magic described Jacobs as “a true legend of Nigerian cinema,” noting that his career stretched from the stages of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts all the way to the screens of Nollywood.
The platform also confirmed that Jacobs received the inaugural AMVCA Industry Merit Award in 2013, in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in acting.
“He leaves behind a legacy that helped shape the very idea of what African storytelling could be, and a partnership with his beloved wife, Joke Silva, that inspired us all,” Africa Magic wrote. “Rest well, Sir Olu Jacobs. The magic you brought to our screens will live on forever.”