The family of Olorogun Oskar Ibru, Nigerian industrialist and chairman of the Ibru Organisation, has confirmed his passing at the age of 67, following what they described as a brief illness.
Born into the illustrious Ibru dynasty, Oskar was one of the most prominent heirs to the business empire established by his father, Olorogun Michael Ibru, whose conglomerate broke new ground in indigenous entrepreneurship with ventures in shipping, oil and gas, aviation, real estate, and commerce.
Oskar Ibru’s academic path took him from Igbobi College, Lagos, to Skidmore College, USA, and later to Atlanta University’s Graduate School of Business, where he earned a master’s degree.
He returned to Nigeria in 1983, starting his career as a management trainee at The Guardian before joining Emsee Shipping Lines Limited as Research and Development Manager. Rising through the ranks, he became General Manager and later Managing Director in 1992, steering subsidiaries across the Ibru Organisation. His leadership extended into critical industries such as shipping, fishing, oil and gas, port operations, and real estate.
Beyond the family business, Oskar also contributed to national industry leadership, serving as President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping from 2006 to 2010.