Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and one of Nigeria’s most revered elder statesmen, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has passed away. He died at the age of 92.
His family announced his death in a statement, saying: “We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings.”
Born on December 28, 1932, in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr. Kolade lived a life defined by integrity, leadership, and excellence across broadcasting, the corporate world, diplomacy, and academia.
A son of an Anglican missionary, he attended Government College, Ibadan (GCI), before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone. His distinguished career earned him honorary doctorates from the University of Sierra Leone (1976) and McPherson University (2016).
Dr. Kolade began his professional journey in broadcasting and rose to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
He later joined the corporate sector, where he served as Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, earning widespread respect for his ethical leadership.
In view of his reputation for excellence he was appointed as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he discharged with distinction.
After his diplomatic service, Dr. Kolade joined the Lagos Business School (LBS) as a lecturer in Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management, and later taught Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, where he also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
Beyond academia, he held leadership positions in professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.