CHRISTOPHER KOLADE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE LATE ELDER STATESMAN
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Esteemed broadcaster, business luminary, and diplomat Christopher Kolade has passed away at the age of 92.
Has earlier reported that the family disclosed the elder statesman’s demise in an official announcement on Thursday.
As indicated in the statement, the former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc departed peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Here’s what to know about the life and times of the late elder statesman
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, to an Anglican missionary father, Kolade’s formative years were influenced by faith, discipline, and education.
He attended Government College, Ibadan, before advancing to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from one of West Africa’s most esteemed universities.
Broadcasting Pioneer
Kolade commenced his professional journey in the 1950s as an Education Officer in the Western Region. However, following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, he transitioned into broadcasting — a shift that would characterize the early phase of his remarkable career.
At the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), Kolade ascended the ranks to become Director-General.
Colleagues who served under his leadership remember his professionalism, dignity, and commitment to ethical journalism — traits that distinguished him during Nigeria’s nascent broadcasting era.
His partnership with the late Segun Olusola played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for contemporary television and radio in the nation.
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Corporate Executive
After nearly two decades in the broadcasting sector, Kolade joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc in 1978 as Administration Director. He subsequently rose to Managing Director, Chief Executive, and ultimately Chairman, steering the company through what many characterized as its “golden era.”
Beyond the corporate environment, Kolade championed ethical business practices. He presided over both the Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity long before the term “corporate governance” gained traction in Nigeria’s business dialogue.
Educator, Mentor, and Advocate for Values
Even after retiring from corporate endeavors, Kolade continued to influence minds and instill values.
At the Lagos Business School, he instructed on Corporate Governance, Human Resource Management, and Leadership, where generations of business leaders remember him as a mentor who initiated each class with inquiries about values rather than profits.
He later acted as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University, which encompasses both LBS and the School of Media and Communication, as well as serving as Chancellor of McPherson University in Ogun State.
Diplomat and Devout Anglican
From 2002 to 2007, Kolade held the post of Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, garnering extensive respect for his diplomatic approach, humility, and integrity.
A dedicated Anglican, he was awarded the Order of St Augustine Medal by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981 and was subsequently appointed as a Lay Canon Emeritus at Guildford Cathedral, United Kingdom. He also served as organist and choir director at St Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos, reflecting his lifelong dedication to faith and service.
Notwithstanding his impressive credentials, which comprise Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Former President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management, and honoree of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, Kolade maintained an exceptional level of humility.
Family Life
He was united in matrimony with Beatrice Egochukwu Ukogu, with whom he fathered two sons. Individuals close to him characterize him as a devoted spouse and parent who harmoniously integrated public responsibilities with familial affection and simplicity.
Kolade’s existence was fundamentally rooted in family, faith, and service—principles he embodied and imparted to all who crossed his path.
Within business communities, Kolade will be commemorated as a principled leader, while in educational realms, he will be regarded as a mentor who cultivated intellects with ethical clarity, and in diplomatic circles, as an ambassador who represented Nigeria’s reputation with honor.
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