Olusegun “Segun” Awolowo Jr., grandson of Nigeria’s iconic nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo, passed away at age 62. His death on 20 November 2025 was announced by his family, who described him as a “steady, wise, endlessly loving” husband, father, grandfather, and “a painfully loyal servant to Nigeria.”
He leaves behind an inspiring legacy, shaped by idealism and fierce ambition that followed him throughout his public life.
Early life and formation
Born on September 27, 1963, Segun Awolowo Jr. carried forward the legacy of his grandfather, Chief Obafemi Awolowo—a towering figure in Nigeria’s fight for independence and social justice.
Segun’s journey into public service was shaped early on by exposure to national governance and policy-making. Before leading the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), he served in key roles in government: as a Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo, working on traditional institutions, budgeting, and governance; and later as Secretary for Social Development and Transport in the Federal Capital Territory.
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Career: Reform, ambition, and the “Zero Oil” vision
Segun Awolowo’s most prominent role was as Executive Director / CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a position he first assumed in 2013 under President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was then reappointed in 2018 under President Buhari, a signal that his work had earned recognition across administrations.
At NEPC, he was a strong advocate for economic diversification. Perhaps his most ambitious initiative was the so-called Zero Oil Plan, which aimed to shift Nigeria away from a heavy dependence on crude oil by promoting non-oil export sectors.
Under his leadership, NEPC targeted dozens of sectors — from agriculture (rice, cocoa, cashew) to manufacturing and minerals — as engines of future growth.
He also forged partnerships with key institutions: working with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NEXIM Bank, and more.
For example, he helped scale up Nigeria’s cashew industry, collaborating to build a plant that employed hundreds of local workers.
Beyond NEPC, his influence extended regionally: in 2021, he was unanimously elected President of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (NTPOs) for ECOWAS member states. He also played a leading role in Nigeria’s engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In 2022, he was appointed Secretary of Nigeria’s National Action Committee on AfCFTA, coordinating national efforts to leverage the opportunities of continental trade.
Character, family, and faith
Beyond his public roles, Segun was described by his family as “steady, wise, endlessly loving.”
They also said he lived a life defined by loyalty to his loved ones and to Nigeria.
His intellectual drive was matched by humility; even as he carried a storied name, he earned respect through hard work, thoughtfulness, and a genuine belief in Nigeria’s potential. His colleagues recalled a man who worked tirelessly to build bridges between government, the private sector, and international trade partners.
