High Chief Ayeola Tajudeen Oriyomi, President of ICA-Africa, dies aged 56
In a statement posted on December 26, by ICA-Africa said it was announcing his death “with deep sadness and heavy hearts”, describing him as “a beloved leader of the cooperative movement in Africa”
LONDON, 30 December 2025 — High Chief Ayeola Tajudeen Oriyomi, a leading figure in Africa’s cooperative movement and President of the International Cooperative Alliance Africa [ICA-Africa], died suddenly at the age of 56.
High Chief Ayeola, a Nigerian cooperative leader and development advocate, had served as President of ICA Africa since 2021 and was re-elected for a second term on October 7, 2025 at the ICA-Africa Regional Assembly, held alongside the 14th Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference [AMCCO] in Nairobi, Kenya.
In a statement posted on December 26, by ICA-Africa said it was announcing his death “with deep sadness and heavy hearts”, describing him as “a beloved leader of the cooperative movement in Africa”.
“High Chief Ayeola dedicated his life to service, unity, and the advancement of cooperatives across the continent,” the statement said. “His humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment touched countless lives and institutions.”
Before becoming President, High Chief Ayeola served as a member-at-large on the ICA Africa Board and chaired its Audit and Risk Committee. He was also President of the Cooperative Federation of Nigeria and presided over all four tiers of cooperative administration in the country.
Dr Ariel Guarco, President of the International Cooperative Alliance [ICA], said his death represented “a profound loss for the global cooperative movement, and especially for Africa”.
“He was an exceptional leader whose commitment, vision, and integrity left a lasting mark on the Alliance,” Guarco said. “Beyond his leadership, Ayeola was a trusted colleague and a dear friend, whose wisdom and generosity enriched all those who had the privilege of working with him.”
Guarco added that High Chief Ayeola’s legacy would endure through the cooperative institutions he helped to build and the lives he influenced through his work.
Born on 29 January 1969, High Chief Ayeola was an economics graduate whose career spanned decades of cooperative leadership in Nigeria and across Africa. As President of ICA-Africa, he promoted agricultural value chains through cooperative food production and sales, supported the development of cooperative healthcare schemes, and expanded the role of cooperatives in real estate.
He previously served two consecutive terms as President of the Lagos State Cooperative Federation [LASCOFED] from 2012 to 2020, during which he led reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving financial sustainability, and increasing the participation of women and young people in cooperative enterprises.
High Chief Ayeola was a member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Nigeria, a patron of the Association of Nigerian Authors [Lagos Chapter], and an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Cooperative Professionals of Nigeria.
In an official statement announcing his death, he was described as “an iconic figure, a revered leader, a community enthusiast and an international pillar of unity and philanthropy”.
The statement said his passing was “a monumental loss to the family, community, state, nation and the African continent”, adding that he had lived “a life of impact, honour, and service”.
High Chief Ayeola is survived by his family. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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