Nigeria has lost one of its most revered statesmen, Dr. Christopher Kolade — a diplomat, broadcaster, business leader, and educator — who passed away early Thursday at the age of 92.
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, present-day Osun State, Dr. Kolade began his education in Nigeria before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he earned his university degree.
A man of many parts, his illustrious career spanned education (1955–1960), broadcasting (1960–1978), business (1978–2002), and diplomacy (2002–2007).
He served as Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation before joining Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where he rose to become Chief Executive and later Chairman. Between 1995 and 2002, he taught corporate governance, leadership, and human resource management at the Lagos Business School, and after retiring as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 2007, he returned to the Pan-Atlantic University to continue teaching and research.
Tinubu: “One of Nigeria’s Intellectual Treasures”
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed deep sorrow over Dr. Kolade’s passing, describing him as “one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures” whose legacy of integrity, service, and excellence will continue to inspire generations.
In a personally signed statement on Thursday, President Tinubu said he received the news of Dr. Kolade’s death “with profound sadness,” noting that the elder statesman’s contributions to national development spanned education, corporate governance, diplomacy, and humanitarian service.
“Dr. Kolade was a custodian of our enterprise history, especially in corporate governance and human resources management. He was a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School,” the President said.
He praised Kolade’s “brilliance, integrity, and patriotism,” describing him as “among the finest of men — exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and with unimpeachable integrity.”
Beyond his corporate achievements, Tinubu noted, Dr. Kolade was a patriot and a consistent advocate of transparency and accountability in governance.
“He served Nigeria dutifully, with honesty and great dedication. From working as a colonial-era education officer to serving as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Kolade left ineffaceable stamps of distinction in every endeavour,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended Dr. Kolade’s humanitarian efforts through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, particularly his support for sickle cell patients, to whom he donated a significant portion of his personal earnings.
“Dr. Kolade’s passing is agonising, yet we must celebrate his life and legacy. He lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself through his uncommon service to our nation and humanity,” Tinubu said, praying that God grants him eternal rest.
Anyaoku: “Nigeria Has Lost an Iroko of Integrity”
Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has paid glowing tribute to Dr. Kolade, describing him as “an Iroko in the country’s limited forest of public servants with impeccable integrity.”
In a condolence message sent from London, Anyaoku mourned the passing of “a revered diplomat, corporate leader, and statesman,” noting that Nigeria has lost one of its most ethical and exemplary figures in both public service and the private sector.
“Christopher Kolade was a star leader in our country’s broadcasting service, a real guru in the private sector where, among other notable accomplishments, he guided Cadbury Nigeria Plc as Chief Executive Officer and later Chairman,” Anyaoku said.
He highlighted Kolade’s “remarkably enduring legacies,” including his distinguished service as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he represented the nation with dignity and excellence.
Reflecting on their personal friendship, Anyaoku fondly recalled their light-hearted banter about the three-week gap between their birthdays — a detail Kolade often used to jokingly assert “the privileges applicable to age seniority in our age-conscious society.”
Anyaoku prayed for divine comfort for Kolade’s widow, Beatrice, and the entire family. “I pray that the Almighty will grant Beatrice and the rest of his family the courage to bear the loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” he said.
