Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A 2021 interview in which veteran actress Joke Silva publicly discussed her husband Olu Jacobs’ health condition has resurfaced following the death of the celebrated actor at the age of 84.
Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after a career spanning theatre, television and film in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Silva first publicly confirmed that Jacobs had been living with dementia with Lewy bodies, DLB, during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo in November 2021.
She explained that the condition had affected the actor for several years and described the challenges faced by Jacobs and members of his family.
“He is dealing with issues, and it has been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy bodies. It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain, and it is almost like a Parkinson’s type of disease… It’s the brain it affects, so you don’t see the shaking. It affects the person,” she said.
Silva said publicly discussing the diagnosis was difficult and revealed that the condition had affected the entire family.
“First time I’m saying this publicly… that is what we have been dealing with, but the thing is, it is hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and it is hard on us family members as well.”
The disclosure followed years of Jacobs making fewer appearances on screen and public concern about his health. Despite his condition, he continued to make occasional public appearances.
In January 2023, Silva spoke further about caring for Jacobs during an appearance on Mercy Johnson’s YouTube cooking programme, Mercy’s Menu, where she said accepting their changed circumstances helped her cope.
“I think for me, it was getting to the place of acceptance… When you get to the stage of acceptance that this is your new reality, honestly it is so much easier. You realise this is the new season, you’re walking with your partner, and you meet them where they are,” Silva said.
During another interview with Nancy Isime in July 2023, Silva reflected on how the illness had changed their relationship and the emotional difficulty of adjusting to those changes.
“There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality and it is like the person I married, 80 per cent of the time, is no longer there,” she said.
Silva also remembered Jacobs as a devoted husband and father and spoke about the continued affection she had for him despite the changes brought by his condition.
“When he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband; he was practically my best friend,” she said.
She added, “So in this journey of dementia now, it’s like I am looking after my father. The husband I knew is no more and there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love.”
Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and became one of Nigeria’s most recognised actors, earning major honours during a career that included theatre, television and film.
His awards included the 2007 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards Industry Merit Award and the 2016 MAA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011.
