Veteran broadcaster and elder statesman, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has passed away at the age of 92.
The family confirmed his death in a statement released on Thursday.
According to the statement, Dr. Christopher Kolade peacefully passed on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement read in part.
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, to an Anglican missionary father, Christopher Kolade’s early years were shaped by faith, discipline, and learning.
He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from one of West Africa’s most prestigious universities.
Kolade began his professional journey in the 1950s as an Education Officer in the Western Region. After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, he shifted his focus to broadcasting—a decision that would shape the early years of his distinguished career.
At the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), Christopher Kolade steadily climbed the ranks to become Director-General.
Colleagues remember him for his professionalism, dignity, and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism—traits that distinguished him during Nigeria’s formative broadcasting era.
His partnership with the late Segun Olusola played a crucial role in establishing the foundation for modern television and radio in the country.
Corporate leadership
Following nearly two decades in broadcasting, Kolade joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc in 1978 as Administration Director. He went on to serve as Managing Director, Chief Executive, and ultimately Chairman, guiding the company through what many regard as its “golden era.”
He had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other accomplishment.
Beyond the corporate boardroom, Kolade was a champion of ethical business practices. He chaired both the Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity, long before “corporate governance” became a popular phrase in Nigeria’s business lexicon.
Teacher, Mentor, and Champion of Values
Even after retiring from corporate life, Dr. Christopher Kolade remained deeply committed to shaping minds and instilling values.
At the Lagos Business School, he taught courses in Corporate Governance, Human Resource Management, and Leadership. Former students fondly remember him as a mentor who always began his classes by exploring values before discussing profits.
He went on to serve as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University—which includes both the Lagos Business School and the School of Media and Communication—and also held the position of Chancellor at McPherson University in Ogun State.
Diplomat and Devout Anglican
Between 2002 and 2007, Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, earning widespread admiration for his diplomacy, humility, and unwavering integrity.
A committed Anglican, he was awarded the prestigious Order of St Augustine Medal by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981 and was later appointed Lay Canon Emeritus at Guildford Cathedral in the UK. He also served as organist and choir director at St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos—reflecting his lifelong devotion to faith, music, and service.
Despite his Towering Résumé, Kolade Remained Humble
Dr. Christopher Kolade’s list of accolades was extensive: Fellow of the Institute of Directors, former President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management, and a recipient of the national honour—Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). Yet, those who knew him best speak of a man defined not by titles, but by humility and grace.
Family Life
He shared his life with his beloved wife, Beatrice Egochukwu Ukogu, and together they raised two sons. Kolade was described by those close to him as a devoted husband and father who managed to harmonize a life of public service with warmth, simplicity, and deep family values.
Rooted in faith, anchored in service, and guided by integrity, Kolade’s personal and professional life reflected the very principles he espoused.
Enduring Legacy
In business, Dr. Kolade will be remembered as a principled and visionary leader; in academia, as a mentor who shaped generations through moral clarity and wisdom; and in diplomacy, as a statesman who represented Nigeria with honour, humility, and distinction.
His legacy lives on in the institutions he built, the people he mentored, and the values he so consistently embodied.
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