Jab Adu gained national recognition for his role as Bassey Okon in the iconic television series, The Village Headmaster, which began airing in the 1960s. His portrayal was so memorable that his character’s catchphrase, “Chei, chei,” became a popular slang among children at the time.

In 1977, he wrote, directed, and produced Bisi, Daughter of the River, which became Nigeria’s highest-grossing film for decades and set a new benchmark for indigenous storytelling.

Originally trained as a banker, Adu transitioned fully into the arts in the 1970s, co-producing the TV drama Adio Family and involved in other productions like Turning Wheel and Ami Orun. Across media, his work championed Nigerian narratives and helped lay the foundation for the country’s film industry.