One of Nigeria’s first generation of pharmacists and an industrialist, Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe is dead.
A native of Ondo, Ondo State, Chief Olu Akinkugbe as he was popularly known died in Ibadan today, Monday September 22, 2025.
His death came exactly 11 days after the passing of his wife, Mrs Janet Akinkugbe.
Chief Akinkugbe died few months to his 97th birthday in December, 2025.
Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe who was born on December 25, 1928 emanated from four prominent Ondo families – the Akinkugbe family, the Apata Talabi family, the Ijimore family and the Lisa Ponbiyunda descendants.
His maternal grandfather, Chief Joshua Apata Talabi was the first Baale (Baba Ijo) of St Stephen’s Church, Òkè Aluko, Ondo from 1924 until his death in 1935.
His paternal grandmother, High Chief Lisalobun Ijifesola Akinkugbe (nee Ijimore) held the title of Lisalobun of Ondo Kingdom.
Chief Olu Akinkugbe’s father, Chief David Akinbobola Akinkugbe, the late Odofin of Ondo Kingdom was the first Ondo man Druggist.
Baba Odofin was also the Treasurer of St Stephen’s Church, Òkè Aluko Ondo for 25 years while his mother, Chief Mrs Grace Ajibabi Akinkugbe held the position of Iya Ijo of the same Church in her lifetime.
Young Ludola as fondly called by family and friends was admitted to the elementary wing of Ondo Boys High School (OBHS) in 1935 under the tutorship of Chief William Oyewole Akingbola from where he moved to the secondary section of the school.
He was one of the few brilliant students who came out in Grade one in their final exams in 1946.
Among other students in the Grade one category in his class then were Archdeacon Jonathan Abiodun Iluyomade who was the Principal of OBHS from 1958 till 1969, Chief Ruben Fasoranti, the founding Principal of Iju Ita-Ogbolu Grammar School who is currently Afenifere leader.
Chief Olu Akinkugbe taught in Ondo Boys High School (OBHS) for some time before he left Ondo for Lagos.
He studied Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy, Yaba, Lagos and was in the same class with the great novelist, Cyprian Ekwensi.
Chief Olu Akinkugbe started his employment career with the Lagos General Hospital.
He spent some time with Morrison and Jones West Africa Limited before he left paid employment to establish his own company, Palm Chemists Limited in 1952.
He was also the owner and Chairman of Vitalink Pharmaceutical Industry Limited.
As a Unionist, Chief Olu Akinkugbe became the secretary of the Pharmaceutical Union at the age of 22.
And as a Boardroom guru, he served as Chairman and Director on the board of several companies, including Fan Ice Plc.
As a dedicated Christian, Tower of Hope, the tower of St Stephen’s Church Cathedral, Ondo was single handedly donated to the Church by Chief Olu Akinkugbe.
He also donated a Church, David and Grace Church of Ascension, Ile-Oluji road, Ugboja, Ondo City to the Anglican Community.
He was a recipient of several awards among which are commander of the Niger (CON) and Commander of Federal Republic (CFR).
As a community developer, Chief Olu Akinkugbe was a pioneer member of the Ondo Development Committee (ODC).
He held the honorary Chieftaincy titles of Ruwaji of Ondo Kingdom and Parakoyi of Ibadanland.
He was married to his amiable wife, Mrs Janet Akinkugbe in 1955 and the marital union is blessed with 4 children. May his soul rest in peace.
Late Akinkugbe, whose passing was announced on Monday, was the senior brother of late Professor emeritus Ladipo Akinkugbe, a bosom friend of the former President who passed on to eternal glory in 2020 at 87.
Chief Akinkugbe brought international recognition to the PSN when he was invited to serve on the Council and Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).
He was also a member of the Pharmacy Board which was then a regulatory body for the profession.
He has worked as a hospital pharmacist, representative of retail and wholesale pharmacies and in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
He was the first Nigerian chairman of Procter and Gamble Nigeria Plc., as well as being a former chairman of Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). He was also the founding director of Palm Chemist and Spectrum Books in Ibadan.
Their applications were nearly late but they managed to be admitted for the exams.
Only 12 slots were available for admission that year and, as fate would have it, Akinkugbe was the only one among the four friends who scaled through.
He considered himself lucky to be offered admission, particularly because he thought it would give him the opportunity to study Physics and Chemistry which were not offered in his secondary school and would enhance his prospects for admission into a medical school.
After completing his first year at the School of Pharmacy, he was offered admission into Trinity College, Dublin, which was the only university he applied to for Medicine. But he could not accept the offer due to financial constraints.
It was at that point that he knew he had to complete his training as a pharmacist.
However, this disappointment offered him another opportunity to remain in a career which he would eventually enjoy.
Meanwhile, former
President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe as an icon, hero, ardent patriot and one of God’s special gifts to Nigeria.
In a condolence message made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi on Monday, Obasanjo said, “his demise got to me with the feeling of a sense of personal loss as he was the elder brother of my late bosom friend, Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, who passed on to eternal glory in 2020 at 87 and whose life and path intertwined with mine in many respects.”
According to Obasanjo, “Chief Olu Akinkugbe was an icon and a hero in the true sense of these words. We thank God for his illustrious life of exemplary leadership, ardent patriotism and life-long devotion to the cause of upholding the highest standards of conduct in his business endeavours and within our society.”
Obasanjo remarked that, Chief Akinkugbe was one of God’s special gifts to the nation and lived an enviable, rich and fruitful life which many aspire to emulate and pray to attain.
“His contribution in the area of pharmacology in Nigeria is legendary. He made a great change in the country’s crucial health sector in different capacities. He was the pioneer General-Secretary of the defunct Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP) and brought international recognition to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) when he was invited to serve on the Council of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).
“He was also the first Nigerian Chairman of Procter and Gamble Nigeria Plc as well as former Chairman of Beecham (now GlaxoSmithKline). We are proud of him for his achievement and contribution to the socio-economic and
political development of our nation.
The former President, who is presently in the United States of America for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly session, recalled that he felt much of “the impact of Chief Akinkugbe’s wise counsel.
“An employer of labour, a philanthropist, Chief Akinkugbe’s selfless services to the country and exemplary leadership will be greatly missed by his community, Local Government Area, State and the nation in general” he added.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
