As King’s College, Lagos, concludes its 117th King’s Week, attention has once again turned to the history and legacy of one of Nigeria’s oldest secondary schools.
Established in 1909, King’s College Lagos, modelled on the United Kingdom’s world renowned Eton College and Harrow School, has produced generations of alumni who have gone on to become leading figures in their chosen fields of endeavour.
The school’s alumni roll call includes senior government officials, senior judges, diplomats, economists, boardroom giants, traditional rulers, military generals, scholars and iconic cultural figures. Several of these individuals have played significant roles in Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
As the 117th King’s Week draws to a close, here are 50 notable King’s College alumni.
1. Adetokunbo Ademola
Sir Adetokunbo Ademola was a distinguished Nigerian jurist who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1960 to 1972. He was one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s early judicial history.
2. Alex Ekwueme
Alex Ekwueme was an architect and politician who served as Nigeria’s first elected Vice-President from 1979 to 1983. Made significant contributions to Nigeria’s political and constitutional affairs.
3. Lateef Olufemi Okunnu
Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. Former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing from 1967 to 1974. Current Chairman, Board of Trustees, King’s College Old Boy’s Association (KCOBA).
4. HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano. Formerly known as Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, he is an economist, banker and traditional ruler. Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before becoming the Emir of Kano.
5. Ibrahim Gambari
A diplomat and scholar who has held senior positions in Nigeria and internationally. Served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Held several senior positions with the United Nations.
6. Adebayo Ogunlesi
A Nigerian lawyer, economist and investment banker. Known globally for his achievements in infrastructure investment and global finance. Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners.
7. Atedo Peterside
Nigerian banker, entrepreneur and economist. He founded Stanbic IBTC and has remained active in business, economic affairs and public policy.
8. Bukola Saraki
A medical doctor and politician who served as Governor of Kwara State and later as President of the Nigerian Senate.
9. Lateef Jakande
Lateef Jakande was a journalist and politician who served as Governor of Lagos State from 1979 to 1983. Later served as Federal Minister of Works and Housing.
10. Anthony Enahoro
Anthony Enahoro was a journalist, politician and prominent advocate of Nigerian self-government. Played an important role in Nigeria’s nationalist movement.
11. Simeon Adebo
Chief Simeon Adebo was a lawyer, administrator and diplomat. Held several senior positions in Nigeria’s public service and represented the country in international affairs.
12. Claude Ake
Professor Ake was Dean of the University of Port Harcourt’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Also lectured at Yale University amongst others. Was considered one of Africa’s foremost political philosophers.
13. Lateef Adegbite
Adegbite was a lawyer and prominent Muslim leader. Served as Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Was also involved in interfaith and national affairs.
14. Akanu Ibiam
Dr Ibiam was a medical doctor, politician and former Governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Also contributed to public service, education and medical development.
15. Adetokunbo Lucas
Professor Lucas was a Nigerian physician and internationally recognised expert in tropical medicine. Made significant contributions to medical research and global health.
16. Samuel Manuwa
Samuel Manuwa was a surgeon and senior administrator who played an important role in the development of Nigeria’s early medical services.
17. Fela Sowande
Fela Sowande was a Nigerian composer and musicologist. Became an internationally recognised figure in Western classical music. Regarded as an important pioneer of modern Nigerian art music.
18. Sam Akpabot
Akpabot was a Nigerian composer and musicologist whose work explored African musical traditions and their relationship with Western musical forms.
19. Wale Adenuga
A Nigerian publisher, filmmaker and entertainment entrepreneur known for his Wale Adenuga Productions and several popular Nigerian publishing and television projects.
20. Kole Omotosho
Omotosho was a Nigerian writer, academic and intellectual whose work examined Nigerian society, politics and culture.
21. Hakeem Bello-Osagie
Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard university educated Bello-Osagie is a Nigerian lawyer and businessman. Former chairman of both UBA Plc and Etisalat.
22. Arnold Ekpe
A Nigerian banker who served as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.
23. Oladipo Jadesimi
A Nigerian businessman and entrepreneur particularly known for founding and developing the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base, LADOL.
24. Udoma Udo Udoma
A lawyer, businessman and former Senator who later served as Minister of Budget and National Planning.
25. Shamsudeen Usman
An economist and former Nigerian Minister who served as Minister of National Planning and later Minister of Finance.
26. Audu Ogbeh
A Nigerian politician who served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and later as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
27. Babagana Monguno
A retired military General who served as National Security Adviser and held several senior positions in Nigeria’s security establishment.
28. Adeyinka Oyekan
Oba of Lagos from 1965 until 2003. He was one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos.
29. Cobhams Asuquo
Nigerian music producer, songwriter, composer and musical artist. He has produced and written music for several leading Nigerian and African artistes as well as having several major hits of his own.
30. Olumide Akpata
Nigerian lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. He has had a long career in commercial law and professional legal leadership.
31. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede CFR
Businessman, banker, investor and philanthropist. He is the current Chairman of Access Holdings.
32. Phillip Asiodu
Philip Asiodu served as a Permanent Secretary in the General Gowon federal government and in 1999, was appointed Chief Economic Adviser to the former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
33. Yemi Akisanya
Yemi Akisanya retired from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited after serving as Counsel, Senior Counsel, Acting General Counsel, and Company Secretary. He is the Principal of Adeyemi-Akisanya Associates, a firm of Attorneys, Mediators, and Conflict Resolvers.
34. Kalu Idika Kalu
Kalu Idika Kalu is a Nigerian politician and a renowned finance expert who was once Chairman, development committee of the World Bank. He was Finance Minister twice, Minister of National Planning and Transportation Minister.
35. Sylvanus Olympio
Sylvanus Épiphanio Olympio was a Togolese politician who was once Prime Minister, and later President of Togo from 1958 until his assassination in 1963.
36. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Oxford University educated Ojukwu was the Military Governor of Nigeria’s Eastern Region and later became the founder and leader of Biafra.
37. Nnamdi Azikiwe Commonly referred to as Zik of Africa, Nnamdi Azikiwe was a Nigerian politician and statesman. He was the first Nigerian Governor-General of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and later, the first president of Nigeria during the First Nigerian Republic (1963–1966).
38. Dike Chukwumerije
Dike Chukwumerije is a Nigerian spoken word and performance poetry artist and author. He was listed amongst the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2016.
39. Tonye Cole
Tonye Cole is a Nigerian businessman and is the co-founder and former Group Executive Director of Sahara Group, the energy conglomerate.
40. Tomi Davies
Davies is an investor and advisor to technology companies; founding President of the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) as well as a consultant to household names such as IBM, Marks & Spencer, Ernst & Young, and Sapient.
42. Tosin Oke
British-Nigerian Oke was the 1999 European Athletics Junior Championships Champion and came 5th, representing Nigeria at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. An Olympian, he ranked No.7 global in the triple jump.
43. Remi Fani-Kayode
Remi Fani-Kayode Q.C., SAN, CON was a Nigerian politician, statesman and prominent lawyer. He served as Deputy Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria in 1963.
44. Mohammed Daggash
Mohammed Daggash, an architect and politician, has served as a Senator, the Minister for the National Planning Commission and later, the Minister for Works.
45. Rotimi Williams
Rotimi Williams QC, SAN popularly known as ‘Timi the Law’ remains Nigeria’s most celebrated lawyer. He was the first Nigerian to be made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
46. Louis Mbanefo
Louis Mbanefo was the first lawyer from Eastern Nigeria. Elected into the Eastern Region Parliament in 1950. Appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1952. Chief Justice of the Eastern Region. Appointed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
47. Gbolahan Olayomi Founder of Wowbii Interactive, Africa’s pioneering manufacturer of flat panel displays.
48. Wenike Opurum Briggs
Wenike Briggs was appointed as the Minister for Education by General Yakubu Gowon and then as Minister for Trade from 1971 to 1974.
49. Vincent I. Maduka
The first Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (1992–1993).
50. Asue Ighodalo
Founding partner of the law firm Banwo & Ighodalo.
Former chairman of Sterling Bank, former director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and former chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
The list of notable King’s College alumni extends way beyond these 50 names, but the careers of these former students illustrate the breadth of the institution’s influence in Nigeria for more than a century. From public service to banking, medicine, music, tech and more, King’s College alumni have contributed immensely to the nation’s growth and development.
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