Ibru Organisation Chairman, Oskar Eyovbirere Ibru, Passes Away at 67

The business community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Oskar Eyovbirere Ibru, Chairman and CEO of the Ibru Organisation and eldest son of the group’s founder, Michael Ibru.

A family source confirmed that the respected industrialist and philanthropist died at the age of 67, after a brief illness.

Born on August 11, 1958, Oskar Ibru was widely celebrated in Nigerian social and business circles. Over the decades, he carved out a reputation not only as a savvy businessman but also as a cultural and philanthropic figure.

He is survived by his wife, Chief Wanda Ibru – curator of the Ijebu National Museum and founder of Pathways Botanical Gardens – and their three children: Makashe Ibru-Awogboro, Chris Ibru, and Nenesi Ibru-Okeke.

A Distinguished Legacy

• Oskar Ibru was the first African Commodore of the Apapa Boat Club.
• In 2006, he was honored as Maritime Personality of the Year.
• He held the traditional title of Otunba Boyejo of Ijebu Kingdom.
• In 2017, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Igbinedion University in recognition of his contributions to business and society.

Oskar Ibru’s passing marks the end of an era for the Ibru dynasty, one of Nigeria’s most prominent business families, leaving behind a lasting imprint on the country’s maritime, cultural, and philanthropic landscape.