Lagos Business School (LBS) and the entire Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) community mourn the loss and celebrate the extraordinary life of a founding pillar, Dr Christopher Kolade, CON. A statesman, diplomat, veteran broadcaster, corporate icon known widely as “Mr Integrity,” and a beloved academic, Dr Kolade’s profound influence is indelibly woven into the very fabric of our institution. His legacy is not merely remembered; it is actively embodied in our mission to develop ethical and principled leaders for Africa.
The Architect of Our Vision
From the inception of Lagos Business School, Dr Kolade was a steadfast supporter, mentor, and guiding light. As a founding member of the LBS Advisory Board, he played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s core vision and direction, ensuring that the pursuit of professional excellence was always anchored in moral conviction.
Dr Kolade brought a career of unimpeachable integrity to the academic environment. Having served with distinction as the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, and later, as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, his authority in the classroom was unsurpassed.
The Transformative Educator
Dr Kolade joined the LBS faculty in 1995, where he taught Corporate Governance, Leadership, and Human Resource Management. His presence in the classroom was marked by clarity of thought, deep insight, and a quiet strength.
His classes were widely regarded for their depth and principled guidance. Dr Kolade taught not only from vast knowledge but from the authority of lived experience, inspiring countless future leaders to serve with integrity. In the words of former Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Professor Albert Alos, “When he walked into class to talk about human resources, corporate governance, or leadership, people listened.”
Stewardship and Ethical Governance
In 2009, Dr Kolade assumed the critical role of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University, providing steady guidance during the institution’s crucial years of growth. In this capacity, he worked tirelessly to ensure the university remained grounded in its foundational values of ethical leadership, respect for human dignity, and service to society. He often challenged future leaders to look beyond personal gain, reminding us that: “Leadership fails when self-interest replaces the common good.”
The Enduring Legacy: The Christopher Kolade Centre
Upon his retirement in 2013, Lagos Business School honoured his unwavering commitment to values by naming its dedicated research unit the Christopher Kolade Centre for Research in Leadership and Ethics (CKCRLE). The Centre is a living monument to his life’s work, dedicated to advancing excellence in research, teaching, and ethical leadership across Nigeria and Africa. It continues to champion the values he devoted his life to promoting.
His written contributions, including the highly respected Kolade’s Canons (Volumes 1-3) and Managing Grassroots Resources and Facilities for National Development in a Depressed Economy, stand as enduring reference points for ethical corporate practice.
Dr Kolade was a mentor, a role model, and a guide. His humility and strong moral compass will continue to inspire generations of LBS alumni and students to pursue excellence with a sense of moral purpose. His life’s ultimate wisdom serves as our permanent standard: “The test of leadership is not how well you perform in comfort, but how you stand firm when principles are under pressure.”
May his soul rest in peace.
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