Nigeria born formal Commissioner to UK – Christopher Kolade dies at 92

Nigeria born formal Commissioner to UK – Christopher Kolade dies at 92. Dr. Christopher Kolade, the revered Nigerian diplomat, business icon, and academic, has passed away. He died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the age of 92.

The death of the elder statesman, whose career spanned education, broadcasting, the corporate sector, and diplomacy, was announced by his family on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Kolade’s lifetime was a tapestry of integrity and excellence, earning him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). He was widely recognized as a “jack of all trades and master of all,” having excelled in every field he ventured into.

Born in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Nigeria, in December 1932, Kolade’s educational foundation was laid at Government College, Ibadan, before he proceeded to Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone. His extensive career is marked by distinguished leadership roles across both the public and private spheres:

• Broadcasting Trailblazer: Kolade made his mark as a veteran broadcaster, serving as the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the precursor to today’s Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He retired from this role at the age of 45.
• Corporate Titan: He transitioned to the corporate sector in 1978, joining Cadbury Nigeria Plc as the Administration Director. He later became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and finally the Chairman, presiding over what many regard as the company’s “golden era” and instituting systems for human capacity development and professionalism.
• Diplomat and Envoy: From 2002 to mid-2007, Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

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Kolade also served as the Chairman of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) board, a position he controversially resigned from, citing issues of “advanced age, corruption, and transparency concerns,” showcasing his profound intolerance for unethical conduct.

Even after retiring from full-time corporate and diplomatic life, Kolade devoted himself to academia and the promotion of ethical business practices.

• Academic: He was a member of the faculty at the Lagos Business School (LBS), teaching Corporate Governance, Human Resources Management, and Leadership. He served as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pan-Atlantic University (which houses LBS) and was the incumbent Chancellor of McPherson University in Ogun State.
• Integrity Crusader: Kolade championed business integrity by chairing organizations such as the Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE, long before corporate governance became a mainstream concern in Nigeria.

A devout Anglican, he also received religious honors, including the Order of St Augustine Medal from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1981, and was installed as a Lay Canon Emeritus at Guildford Cathedral, UK.

Dr. Christopher Kolade leaves behind a towering legacy as a man of principle, a distinguished public servant, and an enduring mentor to generations of Nigerian leaders. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Egochukwu Ukogu, and their two sons.