Ibadan, Nigeria – Prince Ajibola Afonja, former Minister of Labour and Productivity under the Interim National Government, has passed away at the age of 82. He died on Sunday night at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Prince Afonja served as a minister during the brief administration of the late Chief Ernest Shonekan. He was also a former Chairman of First Bank and a prominent industrialist in his community, known by the name of his company, Integrated Dimensional System (IDS).
Reports indicate that Afonja sustained injuries from a solo accident near his hometown of Ilora and was rushed to UCH in Ibadan, where he later passed away.
Afonja was a well-respected figure in his hometown, admired for his dedication to peace and development. He once ran as a senatorial candidate for the Oyo Central Senatorial District under the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
The Oyo Global Forum (OGF) confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday. OGF Chairman Taiwo Adebayo described Afonja as a unifier who made significant contributions both nationally and within the Oyo community.
"On this dark day in Oyo, we mourn the loss of Prince Ajibola Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, who passed away on Sunday night, aged 82," Adebayo stated. "His pioneering efforts as an industrialist and his legacy of generosity and open-heartedness touched countless lives. His presence will be profoundly missed."
Adebayo added that Afonja, affectionately known as "Daddy IDS," remained dedicated to his transformative business vision, including the E-Customs project, until his last month. His absence leaves a significant void, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire the community.
