Born in 1958 into the prominent Ibru dynasty, Oscar Ibru distinguished himself early in life through both education and enterprise. He attended Igbobi College in Lagos before travelling to the United States, where he earned a first degree from Skidmore College and a Master’s degree from the Atlanta University Graduate School of Business.
Upon returning to Nigeria in 1983, he began his career at The Guardian Newspaper as a management trainee, demonstrating remarkable dedication and innovation. He later joined Emsee Shipping Lines Limited as Research and Development Manager, rising swiftly through the ranks to become Managing Director by 1992. Over the years, he became Chairman of the vast Ibru Organisation, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s most influential businessmen.
Beyond boardrooms, Oscar Ibru was a celebrated philanthropist. As Chairman of the Dream Child Foundation, he championed the use of music to empower African children. Under his leadership and in collaboration with global partners such as the World Bank and KPMG, the foundation made significant strides in improving the lives of countless young people across the continent.
His outstanding contributions to business and society earned him an honorary Doctorate Degree from Igbinedion University in 2017, and he held the revered traditional title of Otunba Boyejo of Ijebu Kingdom, a mark of his cultural and societal influence.
Oscar Ibru is survived by his American-born wife, Wanda Ibru, curator of the Ijebu National Museum and owner of the Pathways Botanical Gardens, and their three children—Makashe Ibru-Awogboro, Chris Ibru, and Nenesi Ibru-Okeke.
His death marks the end of an era for the illustrious Ibru family and Nigeria’s business community, leaving behind a legacy of enterprise, philanthropy, and cultural pride.
