BREAKING: Former Nigerian President Ernest Shonekan Is Dead
Chief Ernest Shonekan who headed the Interim National Government that succeeded the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, has died.
Shonekan died in Lagos at the age of 85.
He was the interim head of the Nigerian Government between August 26 and November 17 1993 when he was ousted in a coup led by late General Sani Abacha.
In 1994, he founded the Nigerian Economic Summit Group an advocacy group and think-tank for private sector-led development of the Nigerian economy.
Born on May 9, 1936 to an Abeokuta-born civil servant, he was one of six children born into the family.
Shonekan was educated at CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College. He received a law degree from the University of London, and was called to the bar. He later attended Harvard Business School.
He became Abese of Egbaland from 1981, among other chieftaincy titles.
Prior to his political career, Shonekan was the chairman and chief executive of the United African Company of Nigeria.
He was married to Margaret Shonekan.
