Veteran Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late colleague Olu Jacobs, describing him as a man of profound wisdom, knowledge and selflessness who personally trained her in the craft of acting.
Sobowale spoke on Wednesday at a Night of Tribute held in Jacobs’ honour at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos State. The event came weeks after the death of the iconic actor on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
Reflecting on her journey in the Nigerian film industry, Sobowale told the audience that while many praise her talent, few know the man who helped shape it. “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,” she said. “Man of knowledge, wisdom and a selfless man.”
She fondly recalled Jacobs’ distinctive way of correcting and advising her. “Anytime I bring my wahala, he has this, ‘Sola, No, No, No’,” she demonstrated, mimicking the famous hand gesture the late actor often used in his roles. Sobowale explained that the gesture went beyond simple disapproval; it carried caution, guidance and quiet recognition of her intelligence.
The tribute underscored the deep professional and personal impact Jacobs had on a generation of Nigerian actors, with Sobowale’s words highlighting both his mentorship and the enduring respect he commanded in Nollywood.
