Captain Of Industry: Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo Is Dead

Celebrating the Remarkable Life of Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of a true icon, Chief Christopher Oladipo Ogunbanjo, a distinguished corporate lawyer and captain of industry. He breathed his last at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy that will forever inspire generations to come. Born in 1923 into the esteemed family of Rev. Canon Ajayi Ogunbanjo and Mama Christianah Towobola Ogunbanjo in Ijebu Ode, he was just a few months shy of celebrating his centenary in December.

Chief Ogunbanjo, affectionately known as a ‘Captain of Industry,’ was renowned for his unwavering commitment to fostering industrial growth and nurturing local talent. During the late 1960s, he stood as a stalwart among the visionary businessmen who championed local equity participation in foreign firms operating within Nigeria. His foresight also paved the way for the introduction of domiciliary accounts in Nigeria, which later materialized through the Foreign Currency Decree 18 of 1985.

His educational journey commenced at St. Phillips Primary School in Aiyetoro, Ile-Ife, before he pursued his secondary education at Oduduwa College, Ife, in 1936. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Igbobi College, where he excelled in his Cambridge School Certificate Examination. In 1949, Chief Ogunbanjo earned his law degree from the University of London, subsequently being called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 1950. That same year, he became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

After a brief stint at the HO Davies law firm, he embarked on a path to establish his private practice. In 1952, the firm welcomed two more partners, Samuel Ladoke Akintola and Michael Odesanya, transforming into Samuel, Chris, and Michael Solicitors. In 1960, the partnership dissolved, and his practice evolved into Chris Ogunbanjo & Co., with a specialization in corporate law.

Chief Ogunbanjo’s dedication extended to numerous chambers and associations. He was a founding member of the American Chamber of Commerce in 1960, later serving as its president from 1968 to 1970. In 1961, he joined the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, eventually becoming an honorary Life Vice-President in 1979. He chaired the Centenary Foundation of the Chamber, a charitable endeavor aimed at advancing commerce and industry in Nigeria.

A man of great influence, Chief Ogunbanjo held esteemed positions in various Nigerian companies, including West African Batteries, Metal Box Toyo, Union Securities, 3M Nigeria, ABB Nigeria, Roche Nigeria, and Chemical and Allied Products Ltd.

Chief Ogunbanjo’s contributions extended far beyond the corporate realm. He selflessly served Nigeria in various public capacities, such as the first Chairman of the Nigerian Council for Management Education and Training, the first Chairman of the governing body of the Centre for Management Development, and as Chairman of the Study Group on Industrial Policy set up by the Federal Government in 1984. Additionally, he chaired the Consultative Assembly on the Review of Company Law in Nigeria.

His list of accomplishments is as impressive as it is extensive. Chief Ogunbanjo held revered traditional titles, including Asiwaju Ijebu-Imushin, Larinja of Egbaland, Baba Ijo of the Church of Epiphany in Eruwon, Ijebu Ode, and Bagbimo of Ilugun, Abeokuta, among others. In recognition of his exceptional service, he was conferred with the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 1982 and the Commander of the Niger (CON) in 2001.

Beyond his illustrious career, Chief Ogunbanjo was a loving husband to Hilda Ladipo, whom he married in 1953,the editor of AMBER, a women’s lifestyle magazine established in the 1960s.

Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, will be  remembered not only for his outstanding professional achievements but also for his extraordinary dedication to his community and his unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate law practice. His legacy will forever endure as a testament to his enduring impact on the economic development of Nigeria and the practice of commercial law in our beloved country.