Why I didn’t take Olu Jacobs’ surname after marriage — Joke Silva 

Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has opened up on why she chose not to take her husband, iconic actor Olu Jacobs’ surname after they got married, revealing it was a strategic decision encouraged by her husband himself.

In a recent episode of the Leadership podcast hosted by Stephen Akintayo, the 62-year-old screen legend explained that it was Jacobs who advised her to retain her maiden name for the sake of her growing professional identity.

When asked by the host if there was a particular reason she didn’t change her last name after marriage, Silva responded:

“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 has 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 that while she remained Joke Silva in the public eye, those close to the couple always recognised her as Mrs. Jacobs.

“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 last name] really didn’t matter.”

Silva and Jacobs, who have been married for over three decades, are widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most respected couples. Their enduring love and mutual respect continue to inspire many both within and outside the entertainment industry.

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