Olusegun Osoba, popularly known as Aremo Segun Osoba, is one of Nigeria’s most respected journalists, politicians, and elder statesmen. Born on July 15, 1939, in Osogbo, present-day Osun State, he built a distinguished career in both journalism and public service
Osoba began his journalism career in 1964 with the Daily Times of Nigeria as a trainee reporter. Through hard work and investigative reporting, he rose rapidly through the ranks to become editor and later managing director of the newspaper. He also worked with international media organisations including the BBC, Newsweek, and The Times of London. He earned recognition as one of Nigeria’s finest investigative journalists, notably for reporting major national events including the aftermath of the 1966 coup.
Academically and professionally, Osoba trained in journalism at the University of Lagos and attended advanced journalism programmes in the United Kingdom and the United States. He became the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard University.
In politics, Osoba served twice as Governor of Ogun State ,first during the Third Republic from 1992 to 1993 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and again from 1999 to 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He later became a prominent leader within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and remained influential in Nigerian politics as a respected elder statesman
Beyond politics and journalism, he holds traditional titles including the Aremo Awujale of Ijebuland and Akinrogun of Egbaland. He has also served as chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, mentoring younger generations of journalists.
Osoba is widely celebrated for his contributions to press freedom, democratic governance, and the development of journalism in Nigeria. According to multiple Nigerian media reports, Dr. Osoba died peacefully at his residence in Ijebu Ode on May 14, 2026. The announcement was made by the Yusufu Bala Usman Institute, where he served as chairman.