By Peter Omopo
Lagos, Nigeria – November 20, 2025
Nigeria has lost one of its prominent public servants and scions of a political dynasty, as Olusegun (Segun) Awolowo, grandson of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former premier of the old Western Region, has died at the age of 62.
His family announced his passing in a statement on Thursday, describing him as a devoted family man and an unwavering patriot who dedicated his life to national service.
> “With extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Olusegun Awolowo,” the statement said, praising him as a steady, wise and endlessly loving anchor of the family and a loyal servant of Nigeria.
The family did not disclose the cause of death.
Segun Awolowo, a lawyer by training, was best known for his role as executive director and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), a position he held from 2013 to 2022. In that capacity, he became one of the most visible advocates for diversifying Nigeria’s economy away from crude oil through non-oil exports, championing initiatives such as the “Zero Oil Plan” to boost foreign exchange earnings from agriculture and manufactured goods.
His work on trade extended beyond Nigeria’s borders. In July 2021, Awolowo was unanimously elected president of the National Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) drawn from ECOWAS member states, giving him a regional platform to push for deeper intra-African trade and export-led growth.
In 2023, then-president Muhammadu Buhari approved his appointment as secretary of the National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), tasking him with helping to position Nigeria to take advantage of the continent-wide trade pact.
Colleagues and associates often described him as courteous, charismatic and deeply committed to the idea that Nigeria could prosper through enterprise and exports rather than dependence on oil revenue. As a member of the Awolowo political family, he carried a legacy of public service dating back to the country’s First Republic, but carved out his own niche in economic policy and trade promotion.
Beyond his official roles, the family’s statement remembered him as “a true family man, a great friend, a wonderful servant of God, and a deeply beautiful human being,” highlighting the personal warmth that endeared him to many in political, business and social circles.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days, as tributes begin to pour in from across Nigeria’s political, diplomatic and business communities.
