He Made Me A Fantastic Actor – Sola Sobowale Reveals Olu Jacobs Huge Impact On Her Career

Veteran Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has paid tribute to her late colleague, Olu Jacobs, describing him as a knowledgeable, wise and selfless man who played a major role in shaping her career as an actress.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Sobowale spoke on Wednesday during a Night of Tribute held in honour of Jacobs at the Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos State.

Jacobs, one of Nigeria’s most respected veteran actors, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.

Reflecting on his influence on her career, Sobowale said audiences often celebrate her acting abilities without knowing the individual who helped nurture and develop her talent.

She recalled how Jacobs would often correct and advise her whenever she approached him with an issue, using a familiar hand gesture associated with his roles in movies to signal disapproval or caution.

According to Sobowale, the gesture went beyond simply expressing disagreement, as it represented Jacobs’ way of offering guidance and encouraging those around him to think carefully.

The actress expressed gratitude for the impact Jacobs had on her professional journey, stressing that her development as an actress was partly shaped by his mentorship.

She said that while many people describe her as a fantastic actor, Jacobs was the person who trained and helped develop her skills in the Nigerian film industry.

Sobowale further described the late actor as a man of knowledge and wisdom whose selflessness left a lasting impression on those he mentored.

Her tribute highlighted the significant influence Jacobs had on colleagues within Nollywood and the enduring legacy of his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.