The eldest son of the late Michael Ibru, founder of the Ibru Organisation, Olorogun Oscar Ibru, has died at the age of 67.
Oscar, a billionaire businessman and chairman of the Ibru Organisation, was reported to have died from an undisclosed ailment.
A family source confirmed the death on Wednesday. Born in 1958 into the prominent Ibru family, Oscar attended Igbobi College before travelling to the United States to pursue higher education.
He obtained his first degree at Skidmore College and later earned a Master’s degree from the Atlanta University Graduate School of Business.
Upon his return to Nigeria in 1983, Oscar began his career at The Guardian Newspaper as a management trainee, where he distinguished himself as a dedicated and innovative leader.
Shortly after, he moved to Emsee Shipping Lines Limited as Research and Development Manager. His rise within the company was swift, and by 1992, he had become Managing Director.
Outside business, Oscar was known for his philanthropy. As Chairman of the Dream Child Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, he used music as a tool to empower and support African children.
The foundation, working in partnership with global institutions such as the World Bank and KPMG, made significant progress in improving the lives of countless children across the continent.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions to society, Olorogun Oscar Ibru was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree by Igbinedion University in 2017. He also held the traditional title of Otunba Boyejo of Ijebu Kingdom, which reflected his stature in both business and cultural spheres.
He was married to American-born Wanda, curator of the Ijebu National Museum and owner of the Pathways Botanical Gardens. Together, they had three children: Makashe Ibru-Awogboro, Chris Ibru, and Nenesi Ibru-Okeke.
