Former Nigerian Statesman, Ernest Shonekan, dies at 85

Former Nigerian Statesman, Ernest Shonekan, who headed the Interim Government that succeeded General Ibrahim Babangida, has died.

The octogenarian reportedly passed away today the 11th of January 2022 in a hospital in Lagos state.

Before he was appointed the interim Nigerian Leader in 1993, Ernest Shonekan was the chairman and chief executive of the United African Company of Nigeria, a vast Nigerian conglomerate, which at the time was the largest African-controlled company in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ernest Shonekan was born on 9th  May 1936 in Lagos. The son of an Abeokuta-born civil servant, he was one of six children born into the family.

He had his primary education at CMS  Grammar School and his secondary education at Igbobi College. He furthered his education by obtaining a law degree from the University of London and was called to the bar.

After his education, Ernest Shonekan joined the United Africa Company in 1964.  He rose through the ranks in the company and was promoted to an assistant legal adviser. He became a deputy adviser and joined the board of directors at the age of 40. He was later made chairman and managing director in 1980

In August 1993,  Shonekan was appointed the Leader of  Interim National Government after Babangida resigned from office, following the annulment of the 12 June elections. 

During his few months in power, Shonekan tried to schedule another presidential election and a return to democratic rule, while his government was hampered by a national workers’ strike.

He also released political prisoners detained by Babangida and introduced a bill to repeal three major draconian decrees of the military government.

He learned of the dire condition of government finances but was unable to correct it, despite lobbying for debt cancellation from several international bodies.