His death was announced in a statement by the family, where it was confirmed that the patriarch and revered traditional leader had his last breath in the early hours of Wednesday, January 28.

Born into the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos, Ojora held traditional titles as the Otunba of Lagos and the Lisa of Ile-Ife.

He pursued a career across journalism, business and public service.

He studied journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic in London and worked at the British Broadcasting Corporation, where he rose to the position of assistant editor.

In 1955, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter and was later transferred to Ibadan as an information officer in the office of the regional premier.

Ojora joined the United African Company in 1961 as public relations manager and became an executive director in 1962.

His public service roles included membership of the Lagos City Council in 1966.

In 1967, he was appointed managing director of Wemabod Estates Limited and chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line.

He later invested in several companies, including AGIP Nigeria Limited, where he served as chairman from 1971 until its acquisition by Unipetrol in 2002.

He also founded Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders and Lagos Investments.

His business interests covered oil and gas, shipping, real estate, insurance, manufacturing, publishing, ICT and finance.

Ojora served on the boards of several local and foreign-linked firms operating in Nigeria following the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act.

These included Bowring Group, Inchcape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers and Seven-Up.

He remained active in corporate governance into his later years and continued to participate in board activities and industry events.

He was a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the British Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Royal Society of Arts.

Ojora received an honorary doctorate from Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1992.

He was also awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger.

He stayed away from party politics, stating in a 1990 interview that he had no interest in political office.

Adekunle Ojora is survived by his children, including Toyin Saraki.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Many Nigerians have mourned the demise of the Lagos monarch.

Below are some of their comments.

Mohd Bashir Abdulyekeen wrote: “Though Baba is aged and we thank God for a life well lived, his passing will certainly be painful as he’s a family pillar and support. With total submission to God, I join Y.E, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to condole with the family, friends, and associates of the Ojoras. Baba will be missed.” Baba Idris prayed for the Saraki’s family:

“May God grant Your Excellency the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

Adeyemi Ishola wrote a tribute to the deceased: “My deepest condolences to @ToyinSaraki, the entire Ojora family, and my leader, Dr. @bukolasaraki, on the passing of our beloved Papa.

A truly dignified life well lived. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and give the family the strength to bear this great loss. Ameen.” Oniyere prayed for Allah’s mercy on his grave: “May he receive Allah’s mercy as he returned to his creator. May God grant you and your families the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Ola Saheed Agbaka extended his condolences to the family: “My condolences, sir. May Allah grant him eternal rest”