Kolade, former Cadbury Nigeria Chairman and ex-High Commissioner to the UK, passed away peacefully early Thursday aged 93.
Christopher Kolade, revered business leader, broadcaster, diplomat, and teacher, has died peacefully at the age of 92
A statement from his family confirmed that the respected elder statesman passed away early Thursday.
Born in 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Kolade was the son of an Anglican missionary. He attended Government College, Ibadan, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he completed his higher education.
Kolade began his career in broadcasting, eventually rising to the position of Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. He later became Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, where he was widely recognised for his ethical leadership and corporate reforms.
He also served Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, leaving behind a legacy of diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism.
Dr. Kolade taught Corporate Governance and Human Resources Management at the Lagos Business School (LBS) and Leadership & Conflict Management at the School of Media & Communication (SMC), both part of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. A former member of the university’s Governing Council, he also served as its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, and was later Chancellor of McPherson University, Ogun State.
Deeply committed to promoting ethical standards in business, Kolade chaired several integrity-driven organisations, including Integrity Organisation Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE.
His life and career remain a beacon of honesty, service, and excellence in both public and private sectors.