Oskar Ibru


Oskar Eyovbirere Ibru was a Nigerian billionaire businessman and shipping magnate. He was Chairman and CEO of the Ibru Organization.

Early life and education

Oskar Ibru was born on 11 August 1958, the eldest son of Michael Ibru, founder of the Ibru Organization. He attended Corona School, Yaba and St Andrew's Prep for his primary education, Igbobi College for his secondary studies, then later Millfield before proceeding to Skidmore College for his first degree and Atlanta University graduate school of business for his master's degree.

Career

Ibru returned to the country in 1983 and joined The Guardian as a management trainee and then Emsee Shipping Lines Limited in the position of research and development manager. He rose to the position of General manager and became managing director of the company in 1992. He headed most of the subsidiary companies under the Ibru Organization where he participated in the decision-making process in areas such as shipping, fisheries, oil & gas, port operations and real estate. He was president of the governing council of the Nigerian chamber of shipping from 2006 to 2010, where he pushed for greater indigenous involvement in ports and shipping.
Oskar Ibru was the Chairman of the Dream Child foundation, an NGO which aims to use the culture of music to empower and support the African child in partnership with the World Bank and KPMG. In 2023, the HoodTalk music festival held by the foundation in Ghana was endorsed by president Nana Akufo-Addo after Ibru met with the president at Jubilee House, Accra Ibru was renowned for his patronage of the arts, cultural initiatives and philanthropic endeavors, particularly in the education and healthcare sectors.
He was a key figure in Nigeria's business landscape and played a vital role in sustaining the family conglomerate founded by his father. He was the most notable heir of the Ibru dynasty and custodian of the Ibru family legacy.

Personal life and death

Ibru was married to Chief Wanda Ibru, curator of the Ijebu national museum and owner of the pathways botanical gardens. They had three children: Makashe Ibru-Awogboro, Chris Ebruba Ibru and Nenesi Ibru-Okeke.
He was the first African Commodore of the Apapa Boat Club, and was the Maritime Personality of the year in 2006. Olorogun Oskar Ibru a traditional aristocrat was the Ochuko R'Ovie of Agbara-Otor, the Odomese of Olomu and the Otunba Boyejo of Ijebu Kingdom. He was conferred an honorary Doctorate Degree by Igbinedion University in 2017.
Ibru was a member of Lagos Polo Club, Metropolitan Club, Ikoyi Club and Lagos Motor Boat Club He was described as a billionaire akin to Aristotle Onassis in terms of wealth and charisma by Channel 4 in 2016
Ibru died after a brief illness on 24 September 2025, at the age of 67.