President Bola Tinubu has described elder statesman and diplomat, Dr, Christopher Kolade, whose death was announced on Thursday by his family, as one of the ‘finest of men’, who was ‘exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity’.
Kolade passed away at the age of 92 on Wednesday.
His family announced his death in a statement on Wednesday.
‘We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service; and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings’, the family statement read.
President Tinubu said that Kolade ‘served Nigeria dutifully, with honesty and great dedication’.
His statement read: ‘I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of the inimitable Dr Christopher Kolade, a broadcaster and boardroom guru who is one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures.
‘Dr Kolade, 92, was a custodian of our enterprise history, especially concerning corporate governance and human resources management. He was a principal figure in reputable institutions like the Lagos Business School.
‘He was among the finest of men. He was exceptionally brilliant, statesmanly, diligent, and had unimpeachable integrity.
‘Dr. Kolade was not only a boardroom icon, serving as one-time chief executive and chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, but he was also a patriot and an uncompromising 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, whether in the boardroom, on panels, or public office.
‘I recall his many humanitarian interventions through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, especially his support for sickle cell patients, a cause to which he donated a chunk of his earnings.
‘Dr. Kolade’s passing is agonising, yet we must celebrate his life and legacy. He lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself in his uncommon service to our nation and humanity.
‘He will remain an inspiration for us and for many generations. He was a representation of the true Nigerian, selfless and resilient. May God Almighty, whom he served so faithfully, grant him eternal rest’.
Born on 28 December 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade led a life marked by integrity, leadership, and service across multiple spheres — from broadcasting and diplomacy to corporate governance and academia.
A son of an Anglican missionary, he attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone. His academic excellence earned him honorary doctorate degrees from institutions such as the University of Sierra Leone (1976) and McPherson University (2016).
Kolade began his professional journey in broadcasting, where he rose to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. His career later expanded into the corporate world, where he served as Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
His leadership and reputation for ethical conduct earned him an appointment as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he performed with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, he continued shaping minds and institutions as a lecturer in Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management at the Lagos Business School, and in Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication, both under Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. He also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university.
Beyond academia, Kolade held key leadership roles in several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.
Recognised for his outstanding service to humanity, he received numerous honours, including the Order of St. Augustine medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 2012, he was appointed by then-President Goodluck Jonathan as Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board.
A lifelong advocate of transparency and ethics in business, Kolade also chaired Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.
