The Nigerian business world woke to somber news on 24 September 2025— Olorogun Oskar Eyovbirere Ibru, scion of the storied Ibru business empire, has passed on at the age of 67.
A Quiet Farewell
According to a statement released by his family, Ibru died following a brief illness, though details of his medical condition remain undisclosed.
As of now, funeral arrangements are being finalized, and the Ibru household has called for privacy and respect during this period of mourning.
Legacy in the Making
Born on 11 August 1958, Oskar Ibru was the eldest son of Michael Ibru, the legendary patriarch who transformed the Ibru name into one of Nigeria’s premier conglomerates.
Educated at Igbobi College, he later studied at Skidmore College and the Atlanta University Graduate School of Business.
Over the years, he took on leadership roles across the Ibru group’s diverse interests — shipping, real estate, agriculture, energy — steadfastly steering the enterprise with respect for its foundational ethos.
Ibru’s influence extended beyond commerce. He was well known for his humanitarian gestures, backing educational and community projects across Delta State and beyond.
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He survived a harrowing battle with COVID‑19 in 2021, during which he described himself as “unconscious, no breathing whatsoever” and recounted losing many close colleagues before pulling through.
That episode deepened public admiration for him as someone who survived adversity and emerged more committed to life and service.
Socially, he was no wallflower. He held a place in Nigeria’s cultural and party circuits, known for hosting and attending events, and for blending business with a charismatic personal brand.
Reverberations of Loss
In Agbarha‑Otor, his ancestral home in Delta State, grief has taken hold. The community has declared a period of mourning, with elders describing his death as a deep blow to local morale.
Politicians and business peers alike have begun offering tributes. The chairman of Ughelli North LGA expressed shock and called Ibru’s passing a great personal and communal loss.
Into the Chapter of Memory
Oskar Ibru’s departure marks the closing of one chapter in the Ibru dynasty — but not its storybook.
As the family and the nation await rites and remembrances, his life will be dissected not just in eulogies, but in how the Ibru Organization is steered forward and how future generations honor his values.
