Dr. Christopher Kolade, veteran broadcaster, diplomat and corporate leader, has died. His family announced that he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. He was 92 and would have turned 93 on December 28.

1) A broadcast pioneer who rose to head the NBC

Kolade began his career behind the microphone and climbed to the very top of Nigerian broadcasting, serving as Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. His calm style and management focus shaped newsroom standards for a generation.

2) Boardroom heavyweight at Cadbury Nigeria

After broadcasting, he moved into the private sector, becoming Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, one of the country’s most influential consumer-goods companies, cementing his reputation as a principled business leader.

3) Nigeria’s envoy to the United Kingdom (2002–2007)

Kolade served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK during the Obasanjo years, a capstone diplomatic posting in which he was widely respected for professionalism and quiet effectiveness.

4) A national voice for integrity and public service

Beyond boardrooms and diplomacy, he championed ethics in business and government by chairing bodies such as Integrity Organisation and The Convention on Business Integrity. He was appointed pioneer chairman of the federal SURE-P programme in 2012 before stepping down the following year.

5) Teacher, mentor and builder of institutions

Kolade taught corporate governance and leadership at Lagos Business School/Pan-Atlantic University, later serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of its Governing Council, and also as Chancellor of McPherson University. He invested his later years in education and mentorship through formal roles and philanthropy.