Obasanjo, Yakasai, Others Mourn the Passing of Chief Olu Akinkugbe, Wife at 96

-A Life of Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Impact on Pharmacy and Nation-Building

Barely three months after the Nigerian pharmacy community mourned the passing of Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, another colossal figure has departed. Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe, a foremost pharmacist, industrialist, philanthropist, and elder statesman, passed away peacefully on 22 September 2025, at the age of 96. His beloved wife, Mrs Janet Akinkugbe, had also passed on 12 September 2025, just days earlier. Their lives were a testament to enduring love, exemplary service, and profound national impact.

A loss felt nationwide

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo led national tributes, describing Chief Akinkugbe as “one of God’s special gifts to our nation” and “a rare breed who epitomised the finest tradition of African nobility.”

“He lived an enviable, rich, and fruitful life which many aspire to emulate,” Obasanjo stated in a condolence message released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi. “Those of us who saw him as an icon are awed by his formidable achievements, attained with patience, fortitude, equanimity, and high dignity, no matter the billows.”

Obasanjo also noted a personal connection, referring to the late pharmacist as the elder brother of his late close friend, Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, who passed in 2020 at age 87.

A pioneer and beacon of Nigerian Pharmacy

Also paying tribute was Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), vice president of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), and the Kachallan Kano. He hailed Chief Akinkugbe as “a trailblazer, mentor, and father figure in Nigerian pharmacy.”

“Chief Akinkugbe was not just a pioneer of our profession, he was a beacon of excellence, entrepreneurship, and service,” Yakasai said. “His remarkable journey, from the School of Pharmacy in Yaba to becoming the first Nigerian Chairman of Procter & Gamble Nigeria, remains a powerful testimony of vision, courage, and integrity.”

Yakasai fondly recalled his final visit to Chief Akinkugbe’s residence at Walter Carrington Crescent, Lagos, in December 2024, to present his newly published book and celebrate his 96th birthday.

“He welcomed me with characteristic warmth, humility, and encouragement,” he said. “That moment remains etched in my heart, not only because of his kindness but because it reflected his enduring passion for nurturing the next generation.”

Early life and formative years

Born on 25 December 1928, Chief Akinkugbe hailed from four distinguished Ondo families—the Akinkugbe, Apata Talabi, Ijimore, and Lisa Ponbiyunda lineages. He began his professional journey at the General Hospital on Broad Street, Lagos, where he worked in the dispensary before moving to the Central Medical Stores. It was here that his talents in organization and leadership began to shine.

By 1950, at the age of just 22, he was persuaded by his peers to become General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP), where he championed the welfare and working conditions of pharmacists nationwide.

A distinguished career in Pharmacy and industry

Chief Akinkugbe’s career flourished as he transitioned into the private sector. He joined Morrison, Son & Jones West Africa Limited, representing major pharmaceutical companies, and soon became a key figure in the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), eventually serving as President, with Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi as his Secretary.

Among his many industry milestones: were the following: First Nigerian Chairman, Procter & Gamble Nigeria Plc; Former Chairman, Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline Nigeria); Pioneer General Secretary, Nigerian Union of Pharmacists; and Council Member, Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).

His leadership brought both national and international recognition to Nigerian pharmacy, and he remained a formidable voice in shaping healthcare policy, pharmaceutical research, and inter-professional collaboration.

Legacy in education and philanthropy

Chief Akinkugbe believed deeply in research, local drug production, and institutional development. He was the inspiration behind the Olu Akinkugbe Pharmacy Education Trust (OAPET), affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State.

OAPET is focused on developing the Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy, envisioned as a state-of-the-art institution to train top-tier pharmacists in Nigeria. The Trust is governed by an eight-member board chaired by Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, with trustees from Nigeria’s health, education, and corporate sectors.

Faith, service, and community development

A devout Christian and generous philanthropist, Chief Akinkugbe was known for his unshakable commitment to his community and faith. He made several landmark contributions to the Anglican Church, including: Donating the Tower of Hope at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Ondo; and Building and donating the David and Grace Church of Ascension, located along Ile-Oluji Road, Ondo City

He also played a key role as a pioneer member of the Ondo Development Committee (ODC), helping to shape local development strategies.

Awards and recognitions

Chief Akinkugbe’s achievements were nationally and internationally recognised. He was a recipient of: Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

He also held prominent chieftaincy titles: including the Ruwaji of Ondo Kingdom and Parakoyi of Ibadanland.

Family and final years

In 1955, he married Mrs. Janet Akinkugbe, with whom he had four children. Their nearly 70-year union was a model of enduring partnership, love, and shared purpose.

Even in his final year, Chief Akinkugbe remained engaged and gracious. As recalled by Pharm. Yakasai, he welcomed guests with warmth and encouraged young professionals to continue building the nation through dedication and vision.

Chief Olu Akinkugbe’s life was a tapestry of leadership, service, and legacy. From humble beginnings in hospital dispensaries to boardrooms of multinational corporations, he never wavered in his commitment to excellence and to his country.

His contributions to pharmacy, healthcare, education, faith, and national development will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians. As the nation mourns his passing, it also celebrates a remarkable life lived with purpose, humility, and enduring impact.