Obafemi Awolowo is known for his significant contributions to Nigerian politics and society. As a prominent nationalist and politician, he played a key role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
His efforts to advance education, healthcare and infrastructure in western Nigeria distinguish him as a transformational leader.
Awolowo’s political career, which included his leadership of the Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria, his service as the Western Region Prime Minister and his contributions as the Federal Commissioner for Finance during the Nigerian Civil War, has cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s most influential figures.
contour
- Full name: Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo
- Nickname: Awo
- Date of birth: March 6, 1909
- Age as of 2024: 115 (died in 1987)
- Sex: Male
- Birthplace: Ikenna, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigeria
- Occupation: Politician, lawyer, writer
- Height: Unknown
- parents:
- David Sopolu Awolowo (father)
- Mary Efenyela Awolowo (mother)
- Brothers and sisters: None
- Spouse: Hannah Idowu Didru Awolowo
- children:
- Ayodele Soyode
- Oluwole Awolowo
- Segun Awolowo
- Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu
- Tora Oyedilan
- Marital status: Married
- Religion: Christianity
- Ethnicity: Yoruba
- Net worth: $200 million
Early life and education
Obafemi Owolowo was born on March 6, 1909 in Ikenne, Nigeria, and was posthumously honored at the age of 115 in 2024. His father, David Sopolu Owolowo, was a sawyer and farmer who died when Owolowo was 10 years old.
The loss of a parent at an early age meant that young Awolowo had to work hard from an early age to support his family. Despite the challenges, he attended different mission schools in Ikenyi, Abeokuta and Ibadan and built a solid educational foundation.
He later joined Wesley College in Ibadan as a shorthand typist and teacher. In 1944, he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of London by correspondence, thus beginning his brilliant educational journey.
Awolowo also studied law at the London School of Economics, further broadening his intellectual horizons. His Yoruba heritage and Christian faith played a major role in shaping his worldview and guiding his political and social endeavors.
personal life
Obafemi Awolowo’s personal life is closely tied to his political career. He is married to Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo and has five children: Ayodele Soyode, Oluwole Awolowo, Segun Awolowo, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosanmu and Tola Oyediran.
The couple had a deep relationship, with Hanna often playing a supporting role in Awolowo’s political activities. Their marriage lasted until Awolowo’s death, with the two sides respecting each other and working together tacitly.
The family faced various challenges, including political persecution and imprisonment, but remained united through these trials. There is no record of divorce or extramarital affairs in Awolowo’s life, highlighting his commitment to his family and values.
Profession
Obafemi Awolowo’s career was marked by his relentless pursuit of Nigeria’s independence and his vision of a prosperous and unified Nigeria. He began his political career in 1940 when he joined the Nigeria Youth Movement and soon became the secretary of the Ibadan branch of the movement. In 1947, he returned to Nigeria after studying law in London and began practicing as a lawyer in Ibadan.
His political career began in 1951 when he founded the Action Group, a political party dedicated to Nigeria’s self-determination. From 1954 to 1959, Awolowo served as the first prime minister of the Western Region, implementing a number of progressive policies, including free primary education and health care programs.
He served as Federal Commissioner for Finance during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1971, where he effectively managed the country’s finances and worked to ensure economic stability.
Despite the political setbacks and imprisonment, Awolowo remained a central figure in Nigerian politics and ran for president on behalf of the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1979 and 1983. Although he did not win the presidency, his contributions to Nigerian politics and governance left a lasting legacy.
Awards
- Honorary title conferred by the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Senegal
- The University of Ife was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University in his honour posthumously
- Portrait on Nigerian one hundred naira banknote
net worth
At the time of his death, Obafemi Awolowo had a net worth of approximately $5 million. He used his wealth and resources primarily for political and social causes focused on improving the lives of Nigerians through education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
die
Obafemi Awolowo died of natural causes on May 9, 1987 in Ikenne, Nigeria. His death marked the end of an era of influential political leadership and visionary contributions to Nigeria’s development. He is remembered and praised for his contribution to national progress and his unwavering commitment to social justice.
dispute
Obafemi Awolowo’s political career has not been without controversy and scandal. One of the most significant controversies occurred in 1962 when Awolowo and several others were accused of conspiring with Ghanaians under Kwame Nkrumah to overthrow the Nigerian federal government.
That led to a high-profile trial that lasted 11 months and ended with Awolowo being sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was charged with sedition, a charge many of his supporters believed was politically motivated.
The power struggle within the action group also brought Awolowo into conflict with another prominent politician, Samuel Ladoke Akintola.
The conflict led to the split of the party, with Akintola forming the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP), which subsequently defeated the remnants of the Action Group in elections that Awolowo considered fraudulent. The ensuing political turmoil led to violent unrest in the western region, further tainting the political landscape.
During the Nigerian Civil War, Awolowo served as Federal Commissioner for Finance and Deputy Chairman of the Federal Executive Council. His policies during this period, particularly his decision to impose a blockade on the separatist region of Biafra, sparked controversy.
The blockade has led to severe food shortages and a humanitarian crisis, with many accusing Awolowo of using starvation as a weapon of war. Awolowo has argued that his actions were necessary to preserve national unity, but the humanitarian impact of the blockade remains a controversial aspect of his legacy.
Awolowo also faced allegations of electoral fraud in his presidential campaigns in 1979 and 1983. Despite his huge popularity, especially in the Yoruba-majority western region, he lost both elections to Shehu Shagari.
In particular, the 1983 elections were subject to widespread reports of electoral fraud and electoral malpractice, against which Awolowo and his supporters protested vehemently. While these controversies undermined his political achievements, they also highlighted the deep challenges facing Nigerian politics during his administration.
Despite these controversies, Awolowo’s legacy remains influential as a visionary leader who championed federalism, democracy and social welfare programs. His ability to navigate Nigeria’s complex and often volatile political landscape underscores his tenacity and commitment to his ideals.
social media
- Instagram: No
- Twitter: No
books
- Nigeria Freedom Trail (1947)
- Reflections on the Nigerian Constitution (1966)
- People’s Republic of China (1968)
- Strategy and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria (1970)
- Awo: The Autobiography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1960)
- Africa’s problems: the need for an ideological assessment (1977)
- The Adventures of Power: Volume 1 – My Prison March (1985)
- The Adventures of Power: Volume 2: The Hardships of Democracy (year 1987)
