Olusegun Awolowo, grandson of the late nationalist and elder statesman Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has died at the age of 62.
The family announced his passing on Thursday, describing him as a devoted husband, father, and a patriotic Nigerian whose life was defined by service and humility. In their statement, they remembered him as “steady, wise, endlessly loving, and the anchor of the family.”
Olusegun, a lawyer and accomplished public administrator, served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) from 2013 to 2021. His tenure was marked by reforms aimed at boosting Nigeria’s non-oil exports and expanding the country’s global trade footprint. In 2021, he was elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) for ECOWAS member states and later served on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) committee.
Before joining the NEPC, Olusegun held key positions in government, including roles in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and later in the Federal Capital Territory Administration under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, where he served as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport.
Tributes have poured in from across the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described his death as a tragic loss, praising him as a principled public servant who upheld the ideals of his family’s legacy. Also, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun hailed him as “a consummate gentleman and dedicated patriot,” while Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described him as “a great friend and exemplary public servant.”
Born on September 27, 1963, Segun Awolowo was widely respected for his calm disposition, intellect, and commitment to national development. He is survived by his wife, children, and extended family.
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