Christopher Kolade, the esteemed diplomat, broadcaster, and statesman, has died at the age of 92.

His family confirmed his passing in a statement.

“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service, and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement reads.

The statement said the statesman passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8.

Born in 1932, Kolade served as Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation and was active in Nigeria’s broadcasting sector from 1960 to 1978.

He received his early education in Nigeria before pursuing university studies at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

Kolade also served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2007.

In the corporate world, Kolade served as CEO and chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, frequently contributing insights on corporate governance and social responsibility across numerous boardrooms.

Before his diplomatic posting to the UK, he was a faculty member at Lagos Business School, lecturing on corporate governance, leadership, and human resource management from 1995 to 2002.

After completing his tenure as High Commissioner, he returned to Lagos Business School to continue his teaching and research. In February 2009, he was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Pan-African University.

Kolade was a fellow of several professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors, the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, the Nigerian Institute of Management (where he served as president from 1985 to 1988), and the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, serving as its president from 1988 to 1994.