Renowned veteran journalist, public relations practitioner, and traditional chief, Oloye Lekan Alabi, has passed away, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in Nigerian media, public administration, and Yoruba culture.
​Born on October 27, 1950, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Oloye Alabi was a celebrated figure in the nation’s media landscape.
His journalism career spanned several decades, beginning at the defunct Daily Sketch newspaper in 1973 as a reporter and columnist. He later moved to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, and became one of the pioneer editorial staff members of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) in 1982.
​Oloye Alabi achieved a remarkable milestone in public governance by serving as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to four consecutive governors of the old Oyo State (comprising present-day Oyo and Osun States) between 1983 and 1989.
His tenure as CPS spanned both civilian and military administrations, starting under the late Governor Chief Bola Ige and continuing under military governors including Lt.-Col. Oladayo Popoola, Col. Adetunji Olurin, and Col. Sasaenia Oresanya.
​Following his service in government, he was appointed as the inaugural Public Affairs Manager of Odu’a Investment Company Limited in 1989, eventually retiring in 2006 as the conglomerate’s first General Manager, Corporate Affairs.
​Beyond his professional career, Oloye Alabi held prominent traditional titles in his homeland, serving as the Abese-Olubadan of Ibadanland and as a Cultural Ambassador for the National Museum and Monuments, Ile-Ife.
​Tributes have begun pouring in from media organizations, political leaders, and traditional institutions across Nigeria, honoring his immense contributions to journalism, public relations, and cultural preservation. Funeral arrangements and official statements from his family will be announced in due course.
