Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has shared the thoughtful reason behind her decision not to adopt her husband Olu Jacobs’ surname after marriage — a move she says was inspired by the legendary actor himself.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Leadership podcast hosted by Stephen Akintayo, Silva revealed that her husband recognized early on the significance of personal branding in the entertainment industry and guided her accordingly.
“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 said.
Despite not formally adopting his surname in public, Silva explained that there was never any confusion about her identity within their personal and professional circles.
“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,” she added.
The couple, widely celebrated for their talent and enduring partnership, has long been admired as one of Nollywood’s most iconic pairs.
Their marriage, spanning several decades, has become a model for many, blending love, respect, and a deep understanding of each other’s careers.
