By Wealth Oghenemaro
Nigeria’s business and philanthropic community has been thrown into mourning following the death of billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, Olorogun Oscar Ibru. He passed away after a brief illness at the age of 67.
Family members confirmed his death on Wednesday, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the illustrious Ibru dynasty.
Born in 1957 as the first son of the late industrialist, Michael Ibru, Oscar Ibru rose to become one of Nigeria’s most influential corporate figures. He sustained and expanded the family’s business empire, the Ibru Organisation, with interests spanning shipping, aviation, agriculture, oil and gas, and real estate.
A graduate of the London School of Economics, he carved out his own distinct legacy beyond the family name. He was widely regarded as a boardroom giant, a patron of the arts, and a generous philanthropist whose contributions to education and healthcare touched countless lives.
Tributes have poured in from leaders across business, politics, and culture, many describing his death as a monumental loss. “Oscar Ibru embodied resilience and service. His impact on Nigeria’s economy and society will continue to speak long after him,” one associate said.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the Ibru family in due course.
He is survived by his wife, children, and a large extended family, as well as a legacy of enterprise, philanthropy, and service to humanity.
