Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva once opened up about the reason she continued using her maiden name after marrying the late actor Olu Jacobs.
Silva made the revelation during an old interview in which she discussed her relationship with the celebrated actor, who died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
Why Joke Silva retained her maiden name
According to the actress, the decision was not based on a personal disagreement or reluctance to identify with her husband.
Instead, she explained that Olu Jacobs himself encouraged her to continue using the name Joke Silva, which had already become strongly associated with her professional career.
The actress said her late husband recognised that she had built a significant identity around the name and was concerned that changing it could have consequences for the brand she had established.
“My husband Olu Jacobs advised me not to change my maiden name from Joke Silva,” she said.
Silva further recalled that Jacobs remained firm about the decision even after they got married.
“He said it was already a brand and he didn’t want it to affect me later,” Silva added.
Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva’s lasting legacy
The revelation offers another glimpse into the relationship between two of Nollywood’s most respected figures.
Both Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs built celebrated careers spanning several decades, becoming prominent names in Nigeria’s theatre and film industries.
Their marriage was also widely recognised within the Nigerian entertainment industry, with the pair frequently regarded as one of its notable acting couples.
Following Olu Jacobs’ death at 84, tributes have continued to come from colleagues, fans and other members of the entertainment community as they remember his extensive contribution to Nigerian and African cinema.
Watch the video below:
“My husband Olu Jacobs advised me not to change my maiden name from joke Silva even after we got married he said it was already a brand & He didn’t want it to affect me later”
—-joke Silva reveals pic.twitter.com/qSttjfYpXA
— D3VID 🐢 (@DurkioWiz) September 16, 2026
