The Lagos Royal Family of the Late Chief (Prince) Abdul Lasisi Ajayi Ojora has announced the passing of Olori-ebi HRH Otunba (Dr) Adekunle Ojora OFR, CON, JP, known as Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife.
According to a statement from the family, Otunba Ojora “joined his ancestors in the early hours of Today Wednesday 28th January, 2026.”
Born on 13th June, 1932, Otunba Ojora held multiple esteemed titles, including Chief Olori Omoba of Lagos, Head of Oba Ologunkutere & Oba Adele Ajosun Royal Family, Head of Ojora Royal Family, and Head of Aiyeomosan Chieftaincy Family of Lagos.
Burial arrangement to be announced soon.
The family also shared his Oriki, honouring his lineage and legacy:
“Omo Ojora Apasa, Omo kekeniju, Omo oyinbo Dudu ni ita iganmu, Omo afomo loko toun ti ele die, Omo olumokun okosho yun, Omo opayun Pade, Omo alowo loko bi oyinbo, Omo ogbe obinrin ta fi owo ra akobi… Omo olowu oduru. Sun re ooooooooo.”
Otunba (Dr) Adekunle Ojora, a towering figure in Nigerian business and a revered member of the Lagos aristocracy, has died on Wednesday, bringing to a close a remarkable life defined by service, innovation and enterprise.
Born on June 13, 1932, Ojora’s journey from journalism to boardroom legend made him one of Nigeria’s most influential and respected business leaders. A graduate of Regent Street Polytechnic in London, he began his career in the early 1950s as an assistant editor with the BBC in London before returning home to join the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter, where he served in Ibadan as an information officer.
His transition into commerce began in 1961 as public relations manager of the United African Company of Nigeria (UAC), a role that ignited his passion for business and set him on the path to leadership in multiple sectors. By 1962 he had ascended to executive director at UAC, becoming one of the youngest and most dynamic corporate executives of his time.
Ojora’s corporate impact was historic: he became chairman of AGIP Nigeria Limited in 1971, the first Nigerian to lead a multinational oil company, a position he held for nearly three decades until AGIP’s acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.
Beyond oil, his influence stretched across shipping, real estate, manufacturing, technology and finance, leading and investing in firms such as NCR Nigeria, Nigerlink Industries, Lagos Investments and Unital Builders.
A proud scion of the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos, he bore the traditional title Otunba of Lagos, a mark of his standing and contribution to society. His honours also included the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and fellowships from professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Royal Society of Arts.
Throughout his life, Ojora was celebrated for mentoring generations of Nigerian entrepreneurs and bridging local and global commerce. His daughter, Toyin Saraki wife of former Senate President Bukola Saraki publicly marked his milestone birthdays, underscoring his role as family patriarch and national figure.
President Bola Tinubu lauded Ojora’s contributions on his 92nd birthday, praising his enterprise leadership and advocacy for indigenous participation in key economic sectors.
Otunba (Dr) Adekunle Ojora’s death marks the passing of a giant in Nigeria’s corporate and cultural landscape, a man whose legacy of leadership, vision and service will endure. Details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family in due course.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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