Olusegun Awolowo Jr., the esteemed National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office (NACO) and grandson of the late nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo, has passed away at the age of 62. His family announced his death with profound sorrow, describing him as “a phenomenal husband, father, and grandfather, and a profoundly loyal servant to Nigeria.” They praised his dedication to the nation—marked by vision, integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment—while highlighting his true family values, great friendships, and deeply beautiful human spirit. The family stated that they are “shattered by this loss” but eternally grateful for his life, legacy, and the love he shared, adding that daily condolences would be held at his residence.

Born on September 27, 1963, Olusegun Awolowo Jr. tragically lost his father, Segun Awolowo Sr., in a car accident the same year he was born, at just 25 years old. He was the grandson of the revered sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Premier of the Western Region, who transformed the region into a modern economic and educational hub and remains deeply revered today.

Awolowo Jr.’s educational journey began at Mayhill Convent School, followed by Igbobi College in Yaba, Lagos, and later Government College, Ibadan, for his secondary education. He went on to study law at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago Iwoye, where he earned his LLB degree and was called to the bar in December 1989. His professional career began in notable law firms such as Abayomi Sogbesan & Co. and GOK Ajayi & Co., before eventually establishing his own legal practice.

His extensive public service career spanned multiple presidential administrations. In President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, he served as Special Assistant on Traditional Institutions, Legal Due Diligence, and Legal Matters. Under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he also served as Special Assistant before taking on key responsibilities within the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, as Secretary for Social Development and Secretary of Transport between 2007 and 2011.

Continuing his exemplary service, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in November 2013, a role he held until 2021. He later served as Secretary of the National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under the late President Muhammadu Buhari and eventually became the National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office (NACO), where he worked diligently until his passing. In 2021, he received international recognition when he was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) from ECOWAS member states.

Olusegun Awolowo Jr. was deeply passionate about Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly in driving non-oil exports. He firmly believed that “Nigeria must export its way out of poverty.” He was the visionary behind Nigeria’s Zero Oil Plan, an ambitious economic blueprint launched in 2016. The plan sought to significantly increase export revenue, promote Nigerian-made products and services globally, and create jobs by shifting from the export of raw materials to value-added goods. He worked actively with the private sector, government agencies, and international institutions to actualize this vision.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, expressed profound grief at his passing, describing it as a rude shock. Governor Abiodun hailed Awolowo Jr. as “a gentleman par excellence, a voice of courage, and a consummate public servant.” He noted that despite being acquainted with grief from childhood due to his father’s early death, Awolowo Jr. rose above life’s challenges to become an icon in his own right, leaving behind a brief but “hugely impactful” earthly sojourn. The governor extended condolences to his wife, children, the entire Awolowo family, and all Nigerians, praying for the strength to bear the loss.