Vale Olusegun Awolowo, 1963-2025: tributes flow for Nigerian lawyer and ‘visionary public servant’

Describing the death of Olusegun Awolowo on Thursday as a tragic loss “not only to the Awolowo family, but also to the entire country”, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu joined a chorus of commemorations for the lawyer turned “visionary public servant” who had continued his grandfather’s legacy of transforming Nigeria for the better.

“Like his grandfather, he was a lawyer committed to defending truth and justice,” said the President. “He made significant contributions to Nigeria. He served diligently as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, standing as the longest serving executive director of the agency in history.”

Awolowo was an extraordinary leader, a visionary public servant, and a tireless champion of Nigeria’s economic transformation, said the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, where Awolowo was now serving as National Coordinator. His commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and his dedication to positioning Nigeria for inclusive, sustainable growth were unmatched.

“Under his leadership, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office recorded significant milestones that will continue to shape Nigeria’s trade future for generations. Beyond his achievements, Mr Awolowo was a mentor, a guide, and an inspiration to all of us.”

Announcing Olusegun Awolowo’s death at age 62 on Thursday, his family mourned a man who was “the world’s most phenomenal husband, father, and grandfather” and a constant anchor for his family, alongside being “a painfully loyal servant to Nigeria” who dedicated his life to the service of his country with vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment.

“He loved his family. He loved his work. He loved his country. And he lived every day with purpose, humility, and a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him.”

Olusegun Awolowo was the grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was a key figure in Nigeria’s independence movement, and as the first Premier of the Western region helped transform the region economically, introducing free public education and free healthcare for children. At a national level, Olusegun’s grandfather later as Minister of Finance negotiated joint venture rights that led to Nigeria’s oil boom, and helped develop the system of national revenue sharing and fiscal allocation.

Born on 27 September 1963, in the early years of Nigeria’s new independence, Olusegun Awolowo was educated at Mayhill Convent School, Igbobi College and Government College, Ibadan. He then earned his LLB at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989.

Awolowo practised at several respected law firms, including Abayomi Sogbesan & Co and GOK Ajayi & Co, before entering public service. He served as a Special Assistant for the administrations of Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, handling traditional institutions, legal matters, and social development.

In 2013, Awolowo was appointed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a position he was reappointed to by President Muhammadu Buhari, and held until 2021. He oversaw initiatives to boost Nigeria’s non-oil exports, shift the nation’s trade from raw materials to value-added earnings, and strengthen Nigeria’s global trade presence.

In 2018, he led NEPC in signing a $1 billion memorandum of understanding with AFREXIM Bank and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank to support intra-African trade.

In 2021, Awolowo was unanimously elected as the President of the National Trade Promotion Organisation (TPOs) from ECOWAS member states.

Calling his death “a monumental loss to the nation and Africa”, the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office said Awolowo’s wisdom, humility, and unwavering belief in Nigeria’s promise will remain with them always.