Former Minister of Labour and Chairman of the Board of Directors at First Bank of Nigeria Plc Ajibola Afonja passed away at 82 on Sunday night at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Statements and condolences were made public on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Ajibola Afonja attended Kingston University in the United Kingdom, earning a degree in Accounting in 1970. He began his professional career with John Mowlem & Co., a prominent UK-based construction firm. He served as a subsidiary company accountant from 1971 to 1972 and then as the Group Assets Management Accountant until 1975.
In 1974, Afonja returned to Nigeria, quickly becoming a significant player in the business world. He held various influential positions, including the chairman of Integrated Dimensional System (IDS) and other companies.
Afonja was appointed Minister of Labour and Productivity under the Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan in 1993. He was recognized for his contributions to maintaining industrial harmony between the government and labor unions during his tenure.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Afonja was instrumental in driving innovation and stability within the financial sector. He was also acknowledged for his role in the introduction of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) telephony in Nigeria during the early 2000s.
President Tinubu extended his deepest sympathies to Afonja’s family, describing him as a “business colossus” and a statesman who significantly contributed to Nigeria’s development.
Taiwo Adebayo, chairman of the OGF, expressed profound sadness at Afonja’s passing, highlighting his influence and pioneering efforts as an industrialist. Adebayo referred to him affectionately as “Daddy IDS” and praised his ongoing dedication to transformative business visions, like the E-Customs project, even up until his last month.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on behalf of the Federal Executive Council, praised Afonja as a technophile and reformist in the financial industry. Akume noted Afonja’s efforts in employing IDS and his contributions to the financial sector’s innovation and sanity during his tenure at First Bank.
The Governor of Oyo State also expressed shock and sadness over Afonja’s death. Makinde commended Afonja for being a great ambassador for Oyo State and for his significant contributions to the state’s growth. He extended his condolences to Afonja’s family and the Oyo community, praying for his soul’s peaceful repose.
