Christopher Olusola Kolade was born on 28 December 1932 in Erin-Oke, in present-day Osun State, Nigeria. He was the son of an Anglican missionary and teacher. His early upbringing reflected a disciplined and faith-oriented environment typical of missionary families of the colonial era, where moral instruction and learning were given significant emphasis.
He attended Government College, Ibadan, an institution renowned for producing several of Nigeria’s earliest scholars, administrators, and public servants. After completing his secondary education, he proceeded to Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954.
In 1976, the University of Sierra Leone, to which Fourah Bay College belonged, awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law degree in recognition of his achievements in broadcasting, education, and national development. There is no verified record of an additional diploma qualification. His formative years at Fourah Bay College placed him among a generation of postcolonial African intellectuals who combined Western education with a commitment to public service.
Career in Broadcasting
After graduation, Kolade began his career in education and public communication. He initially served as an Education Officer, a position that reflected the colonial government’s efforts to expand the teaching service during the 1950s. His experience as a teacher and administrator later informed his understanding of public information and the role of communication in nation-building.
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He joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, where he began a long and distinguished career in radio management. The corporation, then a leading state-owned medium, was central to public discourse in the years following Nigeria’s independence. Kolade rose through the ranks to become Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation during the 1970s.
As Director-General, he was responsible for expanding broadcasting services across the federation and maintaining professional standards in public communication. The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation under his direction introduced new training systems for broadcasters and sought to strengthen editorial independence while serving national development goals. His leadership coincided with a period of significant growth in the Nigerian media landscape, when broadcasting was viewed as both an instrument of education and a medium for fostering unity among Nigeria’s diverse peoples.
Corporate Leadership at Cadbury Nigeria
In 1978, Christopher Kolade moved from public service into the private sector. He joined Cadbury Nigeria Plc, one of the country’s leading manufacturing and consumer goods companies. His transition marked the beginning of a new phase in his career, one that linked corporate management with public ethics.
At Cadbury Nigeria, Kolade served as Chief Executive Officer and later as Chairman of the Board. He was among the earliest Nigerians to head a major multinational subsidiary at a time when corporate leadership in Nigeria was gradually shifting from expatriate to indigenous professionals. His tenure was noted for its focus on leadership development, operational transparency, and long-term strategic planning.
During this period, Cadbury Nigeria expanded its manufacturing operations and became a significant contributor to Nigeria’s industrial sector. Kolade’s administrative style combined managerial competence with a strong sense of social responsibility, which reflected broader trends in post-independence corporate governance. His role at Cadbury placed him among the foremost business leaders of Nigeria’s second generation of industrial managers.
Diplomatic and Educational Engagements
In 2002, Christopher Kolade was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. His appointment came during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, at a time when Nigeria was consolidating its return to democratic governance after decades of military rule.
As High Commissioner, Kolade represented Nigeria’s interests in the United Kingdom and worked to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries. His tenure lasted until 2007. He was regarded as an experienced administrator whose diplomatic service was shaped by discipline, restraint, and professionalism.
Upon his return to Nigeria, Kolade resumed active participation in educational and civic institutions. He became Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University. He also lectured at Lagos Business School, where he taught leadership, corporate governance, and business ethics. The Lagos Business School later established the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics, named in his honour to recognise his contributions to professional and ethical education.
Kolade also served on the boards of several organisations, including the Nigeria Economic Summit Group and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation. His administrative experience extended across media, business, diplomacy, and academia, reflecting the broad reach of his professional life.
National Service and Recognition
In 2000, Kolade received Nigeria’s national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his contributions to national development. He also served in several advisory capacities for government and professional bodies. Among these roles were chairmanships and consultative appointments in education, media, and economic policy forums.
Throughout his public and private service, he maintained close involvement with community and faith-based activities. He held leadership positions within the Anglican Communion and was often invited to speak on the intersection of faith, ethics, and governance.
Kolade’s public life coincided with the formative decades of Nigeria’s post-independence development. His career path linked the colonial education system, national broadcasting, multinational corporate management, and diplomatic representation, marking him as one of the figures whose life bridged multiple phases of Nigeria’s twentieth-century evolution.
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Later Years and Death
Dr Christopher Kolade remained active in educational and civic affairs well into his later years. Even after formal retirement from public service, he continued to participate in seminars, lectures, and mentorship programmes. His views on ethical leadership and organisational responsibility were widely sought in both public and private circles.
He passed away in early October 2025. Reports listed his date of death as either 8 or 9 October 2025, and his age as 92 or 93. His death marked the end of a long career that spanned broadcasting, business, diplomacy, and education.
Following his passing, tributes were issued by academic institutions, business associations, and government officials across Nigeria and abroad. He was remembered as an accomplished administrator and diplomat who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s corporate and public sectors.
References
Kolade, A Life of Uncommon Integrity and Service, The Guardian Nigeria, 10 October 2025
Obituary, Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s Gentleman of Integrity Bows Out at 93, BusinessDay NG, 9 October 2025
Key Facts About Dr Christopher Kolade, Channels TV, 9 October 2025
About Christopher Kolade, Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics, Lagos Business School
Nigeria’s Mr Integrity, Dr Christopher Kolade, DAWN Commission, 2025
Renowned Diplomat Christopher Kolade Dies at 92, Peoples Gazette NG, October 2025
