The curtain has finally closed on one of Nigeria’s most distinguished statesmen and a towering figure in broadcasting, business and public service. Dr Christopher Olusola Kolade died peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of decades of exceptional service to Nigeria and beyond.

Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary, an upbringing that would profoundly shape his lifelong commitment to integrity, excellence and ethical conduct throughout his remarkable life.

His educational journey began at the prestigious Government College, Ibadan, and continued at Fourah Bay College in Freetown, University of Sierra Leone, laying the foundation for a career that would touch virtually every sector of his Nigerian national life.

Kolade attended Government College, Ibadan, and later proceeded to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He earned his BA (Dunelm) in 1954 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Sierra Leone in 1976.

A pioneer in broadcasting
Kolade’s professional journey began in an era when Nigeria was still finding its feet as an independent nation. He worked as a colonial education officer before transitioning into broadcasting, where he would eventually rise to become Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, the precursor to today’s Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority.

His tenure in broadcasting came at a critical period in Nigeria’s development, when the media was instrumental in shaping national consciousness and unity. As a broadcaster, Kolade was known for his measured tone, intellectual depth and commitment to professionalism —qualities that would become his trademark across all his endeavours.

He served as President of the International Institute for Communications from 1973 to 1975 and later headed the World Association for Christian Communication, demonstrating his influence extended far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Redefining corporate leadership
In what many consider the defining chapter of his corporate career, DKolade retired at the age of 45 as a director general of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc as an administration director, where he rose to become Managing Director and Chairman.

At Cadbury, he was widely recognised for his ethical leadership and corporate reforms, setting standards for corporate governance that remain benchmarks in Nigerian business today. His leadership of the confectionery giant demonstrated that profitability and integrity were not mutually exclusive —a philosophy he would spend the rest of his life teaching and advocating.

Kolade’s approach to business leadership was revolutionary for its time. He insisted on transparency, accountability and treating workers with dignity—principles that earned him respect across Nigeria’s corporate landscape and made him a sought-after board member for numerous organisations.

Diplomat and nation builder
From 2002 to 2007, Kolade served as Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a position that underscored his diplomatic acumen and his ability to represent Nigeria’s interests on the global stage. His tenure in London was marked by efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote Nigeria’s image abroad.

Beyond his diplomatic posting, Kolade served as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Government of Nigeria and was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at various universities, demonstrating his continued commitment to public service well into his later years.

A teacher and mentor
Perhaps one of Kolade’s most enduring contributions was his role as an educator and mentor. After his posting in London, he continued to share his expertise by teaching Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at Lagos Business School, where he influenced generations of business leaders.

He served as President of the Nigerian Institute of Management from 1985 to 1988 and the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria from 1988 to 1993, using these platforms to promote best practices in management and leadership across the Nigerian industry.
The Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics at Lagos Business School stands as a permanent testament to his impact on leadership education in Nigeria. Through this centre, his philosophy of ethical leadership continues to shape the minds of young leaders who will carry Nigeria into the future.

A life anchored in faith
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Kolade’s deep Christian faith remained the anchor of his life. Family statements noted gratitude for “his incredible life of faith and service” and appreciation for “God’s abundant blessings” in his life.

This faith was not merely a private conviction but informed every aspect of his public life—from his insistence on honesty in business to his compassionate approach to leadership and his commitment to serving others.
In 2000, Kolade was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), a formal recognition by the Nigerian state of a life extraordinarily well-lived in service to the nation.

As news of Kolade’s passing spread across Nigeria on Thursday morning, tributes poured in from across the nation, reflecting the breadth of his impact. Business leaders, former colleagues, students and public officials all spoke of a man who embodied the best of Nigerian values—integrity, excellence, humility and service.

In an era when Nigeria faces significant challenges in governance, business ethics and national development, Dr. Kolade’s life stands as a reminder of what is possible when leadership is grounded in principle rather than personal gain.

Kolade, described as the “doyen of the boardroom”, lived 93 years of purposeful service, touching virtually every sector of Nigerian life. He was not merely a witness to Nigeria’s post-independence journey but an active architect of its institutions and values.

As Nigeria mourns the loss of one of its finest sons, the challenge before the current generation is clear: to embody the standards of excellence, integrity and selfless service that Kolade exemplified throughout his remarkable life.

His life reminds us that true greatness is not measured by wealth accumulated or positions held, but by the positive impact one leaves on others and the institutions one helps to build. In this regard, Kolade was truly great—a giant who stood tall not through self-promotion but through consistent, principled service to the nation and humanity. He is survived by family members and countless protégés who benefited from his wisdom, mentorship and example.