BY CHINYERE OBIORA – Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, almost stood still at the weekend as eminent Nigerians, friends, associates and sympathisers gathered to bid final farewell to Segun Awolowo, the grandson of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
With tears flowing uncontrollably, the occasion was the homegoing service of Awolowo, former Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), whose passage was announced by his family on November 20, 2025
Among the high-profile public figures that graced the funeral of the 62 years old Segun were Femi Gbajabiamila, who represented President Bola Tinubu; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Toyin
Others included Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Ogun State counterpart, Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors James Ibori (Delta), Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti), and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), alongside respected clerics, Anglican bishops and priests, traditional and religious leaders, as well as captains of industry.
In the President’s tribute at the solemn service, which took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, in Lagos State, Femi Gbajabiamila recounted Awolowo’s dedication to national service.
According to him: “Segun served Nigeria with exceptional passion and unending dedication. His latter service as Secretary of the National Committee for the African Continental Free Trade Area underscored his belief in a future for Nigeria and Africa built on trade, collaboration, and shared prosperity.
“He was a family man, a kind and gentle man who spoke to people’s hearts just as well as he did to their minds.”
Also speaking at the occasion, Senator Saraki described Awolowo as the “very definition of a good man”, adding: “His character was impeccable, and his influence was profound.
“Though we mourn his passing, we take comfort in knowing he lived a life of purpose and service. He will be dearly missed.”
Also sharing photos from the event on X, Sanwo-Olu noted that Awolowo carried his family’s prominent legacy with grace while forging his own path.
“He served Nigeria with quiet strength, steady conviction and a rare commitment to the ideals he held dear. My thoughts are with his wife, Adebola, his children and the entire Awolowo family,” the Lagos Governor wrote.
