Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs are two of Nigeria’s most respected figures in the film industry. Their union has spanned decades, serving as an inspiring model of love, mutual respect, and support—both personally and professionally. While Olu Jacobs built a career playing powerful and charismatic roles, Silva carved a name for herself as one of the most versatile and respected actresses in Nollywood. Together, they have contributed immensely to the growth and global recognition of Nigerian cinema.
Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva recently opened up about her decision to retain her maiden name even after marrying fellow legendary actor Olu Jacobs. According to Silva, it was actually her husband who encouraged her to keep her surname to preserve her professional identity.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Leadership Podcast hosted by Stephen Akintayo, the 62-year-old screen icon addressed the topic when asked why she never adopted her husband’s last name publicly.
Her response was both practical and heartfelt:
“He [Olu Jacobs] was the one who actually advised that I don’t. Because he understood the importance of branding. He was like, my brand had started building as Joke Silva and changing brands several years after one has been using that brand, as far as he was concerned, could cause problems for me.”
She added, “So, we kept the name Joke Silva as the brand, but within the circles, there was nobody who didn’t know I was Mrs. Jacobs. It [changing the last name] really didn’t matter.”
By choosing to maintain her maiden name, Silva not only honored her professional legacy but also showcased the understanding and partnership that defines her marriage with Jacobs.