By Joke Kujenya
LEGACY OF integrity, service, and leadership defines the life of Dr Christopher Kolade, who passed away peacefully on 8 October 2025 in Osun State at the age of 92.
His death was confirmed in a family statement expressing gratitude for “an incredible life of faith and service” and “God’s abundant blessings.”
Born on 28 December 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary.
He completed his secondary education at Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he began a journey that would shape decades of professional excellence and public service.
Dr Kolade’s influence spanned broadcasting, corporate leadership, diplomacy, and academia. His broadcasting career began at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, where he rose through the ranks to become Director-General.
In that role, he shaped public discourse with a clear moral compass, setting professional standards that defined the nation’s early broadcast culture.
His leadership extended into the corporate world as Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where his emphasis on corporate governance and transparency earned him respect across boardrooms in Nigeria and beyond.
He became a symbol of ethical management, promoting accountability in both public and private institutions.
From 2007 to 2010, Dr Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, representing the country with diplomacy and poise.
His tenure strengthened bilateral relations and positioned Nigeria as a credible voice in international engagements.
Following his diplomatic service, he returned to academia, teaching Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management at Lagos Business School, and Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication both under Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.
He later served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, where he remained an active mentor and institutional pillar.
Pan-Atlantic University, in a tribute, described Dr Kolade as “a cherished pillar of our institution,” noting that “his decades of dedication as Pro-Chancellor, faculty member, and leader established foundations for excellence and integrity.”
The university added that the Christopher Kolade Centre stands as a testament to his lifelong commitment to ethical leadership.
His public service also included leading national and international organisations. Dr Kolade chaired the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.
In 2012, he was appointed Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board by President Goodluck Jonathan, a role that further highlighted his commitment to transparent governance.
As a global advocate for ethics in business, Dr Kolade chaired Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE, two platforms through which he championed responsible corporate conduct.
His contributions earned him numerous honours, including the Order of St. Augustine medal awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
He also received honorary doctorate degrees from McPherson University (2016) and the University of Sierra Leone (1976).
Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria and beyond.
President Bola Tinubu described him as “a man of unwavering integrity and patriotism whose moral strength inspired generations.”
Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki praised his “unblemished record of public service and mentorship.”
Both leaders highlighted his enduring influence on Nigeria’s ethical and institutional development.
Dr Kolade’s voice, once a steady presence on air, remained a guiding force in boardrooms and classrooms alike.
His teachings and leadership shaped a generation of professionals committed to values-driven service.
He is survived by his family, who expressed profound gratitude for the support and prayers received from friends, colleagues, and the nation.
