President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday night, joined the Awolowo family, to mourn the passing of Olusegun Awolowo, a former Executive Director at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and grandson of the late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Awolowo, aged 62, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025. His death was announced in a statement by his family.
“With extreme heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Olusegun Awolowo,” adding that the family would receive condolences at his residence between 2 and 4 p.m. daily.
However, the president, in a statement by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Segun Awolowo’s death at 62 as unfortunate and a tragic loss “not only to the Awolowo family, but also to the entire country.”
Tinubu noted that the late Segun distinguished himself as a true scion of the Awolowo family.
According to him, “Segun exemplified the Awolowo pedigree in appearance, character and demeanour. Like his grandfather, he was a lawyer committed to defending truth and justice.
“He made significant contributions to Nigeria. He served diligently as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council from 2013 to 2021, standing as the longest serving executive director of the agency in history.
“My sympathy and condolences to his wife and children, the Awolowo family, and his mum, our own Sisi Abah Folawiyo. I also commiserate with the governments and people of Ogun State, the entire South-west geopolitical zone, and Nigeria, over this painful loss. May his soul rest in peace.”
Abiodun: He’s Gentleman Par Excellence
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, while describing hispassing as a deeply profound personal loss, said his death at 62 came as a rude shock.
He described him as “a gentleman par excellence, a voice of courage, and a consummate public servant,” noting that he received the news “with utter disbelief” and would forever treasure memories of their acquaintance.
According to Abiodun, the deceased was “affable, highly intelligent, and extremely easy-going,” traits which endeared him to many and made his demise even more painful.
“It is extremely hard to process the news that Segun Awolowo Jr. is gone, but we submit unreservedly to the will of the Almighty God, who has called him to His bosom.
“We are deeply heartbroken, but we take consolation in the exemplary lessons his life taught us, for he was indeed a jolly good fellow.”
The governor noted that although Awolowo Jr. was born two months after the death of his father and was acquainted with grief from childhood, he rose above life’s challenges to become an icon in his own right.
Sanwo-Olu: He Served Nigeria with Vision
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the deceased as a patriotic Nigerian, who served his country with vision, integrity, passion and unwavering commitment.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with the Awolowo family on the passing of one of their grandsons.
Sanwo-Olu, also condoled with friends and his associates, describing his death as shocking and great loss to the country.
“It is with a deep sense of sorrow that I commiserate with the family, friends and associates of the late Olusegun Awolowo. He was undoubtedly a great Nigerian, who served his country passionately. He was also a good ambassador of the Awolowo family.
“On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Awolowo family, as well as friends and associates of the deceased. I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant Olusegun Awolowo eternal rest,” he said.
Born on 27 September 1963, Awolowo spent his early years under the care of Prof. and Mrs. Oyediran, where he began his education at Mayhill Convent School.
He attended the school alongside Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, before proceeding to Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos State, and later completing his secondary school education at Government College, Ibadan.
He studied law at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye, and earned an LLB degree. Called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1989, he began a legal career that saw him work with notable firms including Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and GOK Ajayi & Co.
Awolowo’s public service journey began under President Olusegun Obasanjo as Special Assistant on Traditional Institutions, Legal Due Diligence and Legal Matters.
Under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he also served as Special Assistant and worked within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport between 2007 and 2011.
He briefly returned to private legal practice after the 2011 elections until November 2013, when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
His tenure, initially due to end in 2017, was extended when the late President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed him in February 2018 for another four years.
During his leadership of NEPC, Awolowo championed the Zero Oil Plan, launched in 2016 as part of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
The initiative sought to shift Nigeria from dependence on crude oil exports to a diversified export base driven by value-added goods, targeting up to $30 billion in foreign exchange earnings.
His tenure also featured efforts to expand trade partnerships. In June 2019, the NEPC under his leadership worked toward a partnership with Shoprite to export Nigerian goods to African markets and beyond.
In 2018, he led the signing of a $1 billion Memorandum of Understanding involving AFREXIM Bank and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) during the maiden Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo, Egypt, aimed at strengthening intra-African trade.
In July 2021, Awolowo was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member states, a position he held until his death.
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