Obafemi Awolowo Biography: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Books, Parents, Ethnicity, Wiki, Height, Career, Position, Death

Obafemi Awolowo is renowned for his significant contributions to Nigerian politics and society. As a prominent nationalist and statesman, he played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

His efforts in promoting education, healthcare, and infrastructural development in Western Nigeria marked him as a transformative leader.

Awolowo’s political journey, marked by his leadership of the Action Group and the Unity Party of Nigeria, his tenure as the Premier of the Western Region, and his contributions as the Federal Commissioner for Finance during the Nigerian Civil War, solidified his legacy as one of Nigeria’s most influential figures.

Profile

• Full Name: Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo
• Nickname: Awo
• Date of Birth: March 6, 1909
• Age as of 2024: 115 years (passed away in 1987)
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Ikenne, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Profession: Politician, Lawyer, Author
• Height: N/A
• Parents:
  • David Sopolu Awolowo (father)
  • Mary Efunyela Awolowo (mother)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo
• Children:
  • Ayodele Soyode
  • Oluwole Awolowo
  • Segun Awolowo
  • Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu
  • Tola Oyediran
• Relationship Status: Married
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: Yoruba
• Net Worth: $200 million

Early Life and Education

Obafemi Awolowo, posthumously at the age of 115 as of 2024, was born on March 6, 1909, in Ikenne, Nigeria. His father, David Sopolu Awolowo, was a sawyer and a farmer who passed away when Awolowo was just ten years old.

This early loss meant that young Awolowo had to work hard from a young age to support his family. He attended various mission schools in Ikenne, Abeokuta, and Ibadan, receiving a solid foundation in education despite the challenges he faced.

He later attended Wesley College in Ibadan, where he worked as a shorthand typist and a teacher. In 1944, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of London through correspondence, marking the beginning of his illustrious educational journey.

Awolowo also studied law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, further broadening his intellectual horizons. His Yoruba heritage and Christian faith played a significant role in shaping his worldview and guiding his political and social endeavors.

Personal Life

Obafemi Awolowo‘s personal life was closely intertwined with his political career. He married Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, and together they had five children: Ayodele Soyode, Oluwole Awolowo, Segun Awolowo, Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, and Tola Oyediran.

The couple shared a strong bond, with Hannah often playing a supportive role in Awolowo’s political activities. Their marriage, which lasted until his death, was marked by mutual respect and partnership.

The family faced various challenges, including political persecution and imprisonment, but remained united through these trials. There are no records of divorces or extramarital affairs in Awolowo’s life, highlighting his commitment to his family and values.

Career

Obafemi Awolowo‘s career was marked by his relentless pursuit of Nigerian independence and his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria. He began his political journey in 1940 by joining the Nigerian Youth Movement and soon became the secretary of its Ibadan branch. In 1947, he returned to Nigeria after studying law in London and started practicing as a barrister in Ibadan.

His political career gained momentum in 1951 when he founded the Action Group, a political party aimed at achieving self-governance for Nigeria. As the first Premier of the Western Region from 1954 to 1959, Awolowo implemented numerous progressive policies, including free primary education and healthcare initiatives.

His tenure as Federal Commissioner for Finance during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1971 was marked by his effective management of the country’s finances and efforts to ensure economic stability.

Despite facing political setbacks and imprisonment, Awolowo remained a central figure in Nigerian politics, running for president in 1979 and 1983 under the Unity Party of Nigeria. Although he did not win the presidency, his contributions to Nigerian politics and governance left an enduring legacy.

Awards

• Honorary titles by the Republic of Liberia and Republic of Senegal
• Posthumously honored by the renaming of the University of Ife to Obafemi Awolowo University
• Portrait featured on Nigeria’s one hundred naira currency note

Net Worth

Obafemi Awolowo‘s net worth was around $5 million at the time of his death. His wealth and resources were primarily dedicated to his political and social endeavors, with a focus on improving the lives of Nigerians through education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

Death

Obafemi Awolowo passed away on May 9, 1987, in Ikenne, Nigeria, due to natural causes. His death marked the end of an era of impactful political leadership and visionary contributions to Nigeria’s development. He is remembered and celebrated for his dedication to the nation’s progress and his unwavering commitment to social justice.

Controversy

Obafemi Awolowo‘s political career was not without its share of controversies and scandals. One of the most significant controversies occurred in 1962 when Awolowo and several others were charged with conspiring with Ghanaians under Kwame Nkrumah to overthrow the Nigerian federal government.

This led to a highly publicized trial that lasted eleven months, ultimately resulting in a ten-year prison sentence for Awolowo. He was accused of sedition, a charge that many of his supporters believed was politically motivated.

The power struggle within the Action Group also brought Awolowo into conflict with Samuel Ladoke Akintola, another prominent political figure.

This conflict led to a split in the party and the formation of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) by Akintola, which subsequently defeated the remnants of the Action Group in elections that Awolowo believed were rigged. The ensuing political turmoil contributed to violent riots in the Western Region, further tarnishing the political landscape.

During the Nigerian Civil War, Awolowo served as the Federal Commissioner for Finance and Vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council. His policies during this time, particularly the decision to implement a blockade against the secessionist Biafra region, were controversial.

The blockade led to severe food shortages and humanitarian crises, with many accusing Awolowo of using starvation as a weapon of war. Awolowo defended his actions as necessary for maintaining the nation’s unity, but the humanitarian impact of the blockade remains a contentious aspect of his legacy.

Awolowo’s presidential campaigns in 1979 and 1983 also faced allegations of electoral fraud. Despite his significant popularity, especially in the Yoruba-dominated Western Region, he lost both elections to Shehu Shagari.

The 1983 election, in particular, was marred by widespread reports of rigging and electoral malpractice, which Awolowo and his supporters vehemently protested. These controversies, while detracting from his political success, also highlighted the deep-seated challenges of Nigerian politics during his era.

Despite these controversies, Awolowo’s legacy as a visionary leader who advocated for federalism, democracy, and social welfare programs remains influential. His ability to navigate the complex and often turbulent political landscape of Nigeria underscores his resilience and commitment to his ideals.

Social Media

• Instagram: N/A
• Twitter: N/A

Books

• Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947)
• Thoughts on the Nigerian Constitution (1966)
• The People’s Republic (1968)
• The Strategy and Tactics of the People’s Republic of Nigeria (1970)
• Awo: An Autobiography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1960)
• Problems of Africa: The Need for Ideological Appraisal (1977)
• Adventures in Power: Book One – My March Through Prison (1985)
• Adventures in Power: Book Two – The Travails of Democracy (1987)