By Amofokhai Williams
Olusegun Awolowo Jr., the grandson of Nigeria’s revered statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a seasoned lawyer has died at the age of 62.
The Alarmee reports that the Awolowo family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement released on Thursday, describing the loss as devastating.
“With extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Olusegun Awolowo,” the statement read in part.
While the family did not disclose the cause of death, sources close to the family indicated it was sudden, sending ripples of grief across Nigeria’s political, business, and legal communities.
Born on September 27, 1963, just two months after the tragic death of his father, Olusegun Awolowo Sr., in a car accident, Awolowo Jr. was posthumously named after him, embodying a poignant continuation of the family lineage.
His father, the eldest son of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, perished at age 25 in 1963, a loss that profoundly shaped the Awolowo household during a turbulent era in Nigeria’s history.
Raised in the shadow of his legendary grandfather, the architect of free education in Western Nigeria, a champion of federalism, and a perennial presidential contender, Awolowo Jr. navigated life with a blend of quiet resilience and public purpose.
His mother, Chief (Mrs.) Abah Folawiyo (popularly known as Sisi Abah), a trailblazing Ghanaian-Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and socialite, provided a nurturing yet cosmopolitan upbringing amid Lagos high society.
A barrister by training, Awolowo Jr. was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989 after studying law in the United Kingdom.
He cut his teeth in private practice at prominent firms like Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and GOK Ajayi & Co., before venturing into public service. He served as Special Assistant to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua on legal matters and traditional institutions.
His most prominent role came in 2013 when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Executive Director/CEO of the NEPC.
Reappointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, Awolowo Jr. steered the council until 2023, championing Nigeria’s shift from oil dependency.
He spearheaded the ambitious “Zero Oil Plan,” a strategy to boost non-oil exports through value addition in sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
Initiatives such as the Export4Survival campaign and partnerships with bodies like AFREXIM Bank aimed to position Nigeria as a continental export hub.
In 2021, he was elected President of National Trade Promotion Organizations from ECOWAS states, amplifying his regional influence.
