Obituary: Otunba Adekunle Ojora Passes at 93

The Otunba of Lagos, who is also the Lisa of Ife, Adekunle Ojora, has died at the age of 93. He died in the early morning of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, leaving behind solid legacies that would inspire generations.

A statement sent to THE CONCLAVE by the family announcing his passing was signed by his daughter, Mrs Toyin Ojora-Saraki,  who is wife of a former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

The statement reads in extenso: ” Inalilahi wa ina Ilaehi Rajiun.  With total submission to the will of Almihgty Allah [SWT], the Ojora family of Lagos hereby announces the passion g of our beloved patriarch, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, the Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife, who returned to his creator early this morning.

“We say Alhamdulilahi for a life we’ll lived, and we comply with Allah’s words that: ‘Surely, to Allah we belo g and to him we will return’. [Q2: 156]

“He was aged 93 and will be buried in Lagos according to Islamic rites. He was survived by his lovely wife, Reluctant Ojuoape Ojora, his children, grand children and great grand children.

“We urge all members erd of the public to join us in praying to Allah to grant His servant, who lived a dignified life, reprieve in the grave and a place in Aljannah Furdaus.”

■ Profile

Widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate leaders of the post-independence era, Otunba Adekunle Ojora carved an exceptional legacy that spanned journalism, public service, politics, and big-ticket corporate governance.

He was Chairman of the Board of AGIP Nigeria Limited from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.

Ojora’s professional journey began in the early 1950s at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after studying journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, London.

Rising to the position of assistant editor, he later returned to Nigeria in 1955 to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as a reporter.

He later moved to Ibadan, where he served as an information officer in the office of the then regional premier.

In 1961, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining the United African Company (UAC) as Public Relations Manager and becoming an Executive Director in 1962.

His interest in commerce and enterprise deepened in the years that followed, marking the start of a lifelong influence in Nigerian boardrooms.

Following the military coup that ended the First Republic, Otunba Ojora was nominated to the Lagos City Council in 1966.

In 1967, he held two key appointments: Managing Director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company, and Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line, succeeding Chief Kola Balogun.

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After leaving WEMABOD, he expanded his footprint as a major investor and entrepreneur. He held significant interests in AGIP Petroleum Marketing, NCR Nigeria, and founded several private firms, including Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders, and Lagos Investments, a holding company.

In the wake of the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he acquired equity stakes in numerous foreign companies operating in Nigeria, including Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers, and Seven-Up.

Beyond the boardroom, Otunba Ojora was deeply rooted in tradition. He was the Otunba of Lagos, Lisa of Ife and Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.