The former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR has praised the many contributions of The Ibru Brothers to the growth of the different sectors of the country’s economy.
Chief Obasanjo made this revelation at the formal book launch of the biography of the Ibru Lineage titled: “The Ibru Story” by Mike Awoyinfa at the Musical Society of Nigeria ( MUSON) Centre Onikan-Lagos, Nigeria; on the 22nd of July, 2026.
In his remarks, The Chairman of the occasion-Chief Obasanjo went down memory lane to remember how close he was to the eldest of The Ibru Brothers-Late Olorogun Michael Ibru, from whom he learned lessons on the intricacies of how to do well in business.
According to Obasanjo, The Ibru family brought Nigeria to the world map with their business acumen and as a result, he said: “Let the world outside Nigeria continue to sing the song the Ibru dynasty has given to Nigeria and to humanity.
Never get tired or be angered so that we will continue to have as much as possible the dynasty that God has given to Nigeria.”
Also, The Governor of Lagos State-Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu who was ably represented at the event by The Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment , Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe lauded the resilience of the Ibrus. He said:
“Books such as this are more than historical records. They are repositories of national memory, they preserve the stories of visionary individuals and institutions whose enterprise, resilience and commitment have helped shape our economy and nation. By documenting these stories, we not only honour the past but also inspire future generations to build with courage and purpose”.
Mr. Governor while reiterating that the history of modern Lagos can not be told without acknowledging the contributions of such pioneering business families who invested in sectors that have shaped the nation’s economy, revealed that the private sector is an indispensable partner in national development.
He promised that The Lagos State Government under the T. H. E.M. E. S. Plus Agenda will remain steadfast and committed to creating the enabling environment for business to thrive.
He also advised the young entrepreneurs not to take the book as a mere biography, but rather to take it as a reminder that great institutions are built upon integrity, resilience and collaboration.
According to the Governor:
“Their story is one of perseverance and institution building. It demonstrates that lasting success is sustained not merely by capital, but by sound values, disciplined leadership and a shared commitment to excellence”.
In the same vein, The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who was ably represented at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said the following about the book.
“It is the story of vision, courage, hard work, and perseverance. For us in Delta State, this story is especially meaningful. The late Olorogun Michael Ibru and his family showed that with determination, integrity, and the right values, it is possible to build world-class businesses while remaining committed to serving humanity.
Their success story has inspired generations of Deltans, and their legacy continues to remind us that true greatness is measured not only by what we achieve, but also by the lives we touch”, he said.
The Chief Host and Former Director General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange and who is also into hotel tourism-Goodie Ibru described “The Ibru Story”, as not just about a thriving business family, but about a journey that started a long time ago, when the future was abysmally bleak and uncertain.
He said: “I had the privilege of witnessing much of that journey at close quarters. I saw the early struggles. I saw the risks that were taken. I saw the long hours, disappointments, the setbacks and the determination to begin again.
I also witnessed the confidence with which my late eldest brother, Olorogun Michael Ibru, looked beyond the limitations of the time and imagined businesses that could grow, create employment and contribute to the Nigerian economy.
Michael Ibru had courage, energy and a remarkable ability to persuade people to share in his vision. But the Ibru story was never the work of one person alone. It was built through the contributions of brothers and sisters who brought different strengths, experiences and personalities to the family enterprise”, he added.
The Reviewer of the 342-book was Professor Godini G. Darah and it was segmented into seven parts covering 21 chapters that borders on the beginning of the The Ibru Conglomerate which started with the vision of Olorogun Michael Ibru that brought wealth into the nation by harvesting fish from the sea.
The second part of the book centers on Goodie and how The Ibrus Mean Business, while the third part “The Ibrus in Politics”, showcases how their eldest brother Michael Ibru had a stint with politics, but it was Felix Ibru that gave the family a headway in politics. The Ibru women were not left out of the story as the next part was devoted to how much they contributed towards the making of the dynasty.
Part five delves into all the sensational stories that accompanied the brothers during the political upheavals that faced Nigeria beginning with the coup of Dimka in 1976 that affected Felix, to the many political challenges Alex faced in the hands of General Sanni Abacha.
The six and seven parts also border on the latter happenings in their lives, their sorrows and their fears.
As their wealth grew, the Ibrus diversified into multiple sectors, notably Aviation (Aero Contractors), Publishing (The Guardian newspaper in 1983, led by Alex Ibru), Banking (Oceanic Bank).
They also expanded into Palm Oil Production, Farming, Beer Brewing, Real Estate & Oil Services that helped to build extensive portfolios across Nigeria.
Some of the important personalities at the event included: The Representative of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State- The Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment -Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, Honourable Commissioner for Education who represented the Delta State Governor cum Professor of Molecular Biotechnology-Nyerhovwo John Tonukari, The Former Director General of The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the first female stockbroker in Nigeria who has a Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON) Award for Excellence to her credit-Dr. Ndi Okereke Onyiuke and The Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Ondo State, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N), an arbitrator, tutor, orator and civil rights activist, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Diocesan Registrar of the Anglican Communion, Church of Nigeria-Dr. Olukayode Abraham Ajulo.
Others were: The Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu -Engineer Samuel Egube, The a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor-Professor Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya, The Oil and Gas Guru-Chief Ejiro Dortie, members of The Ibru Family, Traditional Rulers, Priests of The Anglican Communion, friends and well wishers who came to felicitate with them among others.
Out of The Ibrus Siblings-Michael, Felix, Goodie, Bernard, Alex, Mabel and Grace sired by Peter Epete Ibru, a nurse with National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi from Agbarha -Otor and Janet Omotogor from Olomu Kingdom in Urhobo, Delta-State, only Goodie and Mabel alive.
