Veteran broadcaster, business leader, and diplomat, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has passed away at the age of 93.
His family announced his death in a statement on Thursday, confirming that the former Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
Below are key highlights of the remarkable life and legacy of the late elder statesman:
Early Life and Education
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr. Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary. His upbringing was deeply influenced by faith, discipline and education.
He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, a foundation that prepared him for an extraordinary career in broadcasting, business and public service.
Broadcasting Pioneer
Kolade began his career in the 1950s as an Education Officer in the Western Region but soon transitioned into broadcasting after Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
At the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (now the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), he rose through the ranks to become Director-General. He was widely admired for his professionalism, integrity, and insistence on ethical journalism.
His collaboration with the late Segun Olusola helped shape the foundation of modern radio and television broadcasting in Nigeria.
Corporate Leadership
After nearly two decades in broadcasting, Kolade joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc in 1978 as Administration Director. He later rose to become Managing Director, Chief Executive, and eventually Chairman, leading the company through one of its most successful periods.
He also championed ethical business practices, serving as Chairman of the Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity, long before corporate governance became a mainstream topic in Nigeria.
Educator and Mentor
Even after retiring from corporate life, Kolade continued to influence minds and institutions.
At the Lagos Business School, he lectured in Corporate Governance, Human Resource Management and Leadership. Students remember him for his habit of beginning each class by asking about values, not profits.
He later served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University, which houses both LBS and the School of Media and Communication, as well as Chancellor of McPherson University in Ogun State.
Diplomat and Devout Christian
Between 2002 and 2007, Kolade represented Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where his humility, discipline and credibility earned him widespread respect.
A committed Anglican, he received the Order of St. Augustine Medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981 and was later installed as Lay Canon Emeritus at Guildford Cathedral in the UK. He was also a long-time organist and choir director at St. Peter’s Church, Faji, Lagos.
He was a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a past President of both the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Institute of Personnel Management, and a recipient of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Family and Personal Life
Kolade was married to Beatrice Egochukwu Ukogu and they had two sons. Known for his humility and devotion to family, he was often described as a man who blended professional excellence with warmth and simplicity.
A Life of Integrity and Impact
Throughout his 93 years, Dr. Christopher Kolade embodied the values of faith, service, and ethical leadership. Whether in broadcasting, business, academia or diplomacy, he consistently promoted integrity, discipline, and humanity, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.
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