Renowned Historian, Dr. Olusegun Osoba, Dies at 92

Nigeria has lost a prominent historian and intellectual figure, Olusegun Osoba, who passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his residence in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

His death was confirmed in a statement issued by the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute, which described him as a distinguished scholar and a towering voice in Nigeria’s academic and intellectual community.

Academic and Intellectual Legacy

Dr. Osoba, aged 92, was widely respected for his contributions to the study of Nigeria’s political economy, capitalism, and neo-colonial structures.

According to the Institute, his works focused on analyzing structural challenges affecting national development while proposing pathways toward economic and political transformation.

He authored and co-authored several influential academic publications, including policy-oriented research papers and newspaper columns that reached both academic and public audiences.

Key Contributions to Constitutional Debate

One of his most notable contributions was his involvement in co-authoring The Minority Report and Draft Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1976) alongside his long-time associate, Yusufu Bala Usman.

The Institute noted that the work played a significant role in shaping debates around governance, constitutional development, and Nigeria’s political direction.

Tributes and Legacy

The Institute described Dr. Osoba as a committed intellectual whose life was dedicated to scholarship and national development.

It added that his academic legacy remains deeply embedded in Nigeria’s intellectual and policy discourse.

Funeral arrangements, according to the statement, will be announced by the family at a later date.