Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola GCFR, also known as M. K. O. Abiola, was born on 24 August 1937 in Abeokuta, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now Ogun State, Nigeria). His parents were Salawu and Suliat Wuraola Abiola. His father traded cocoa, while his mother traded kola nuts.
He was his father’s 23rd child, but the first to survive infancy, which is why he was given the name “Kashimawo,” meaning “Let us wait and see.” He was only properly named Moshood at the age of 15.
Education and Early Entrepreneurial Efforts
Moshood Abiola attended African Central School in Abeokuta for his primary education. As a young boy, he helped his father with the cocoa trade, but by the end of 1946 his father’s business was failing after a cocoa consignment was destroyed for being of poor quality.
At the age of nine, Abiola started his first business selling firewood gathered in the forest before school, to support his family. At 15, he formed a band and performed at ceremonies in exchange for food, eventually earning money to support his family and continue his education at Baptist Boys High School in Abeokuta.
During secondary school, he became editor of the school magazine, The Trumpeter, with Olusegun Obasanjo as deputy editor. At 19, he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) because it had stronger pan-Nigerian origins compared with the Action Group.
Career in Banking and International Studies
In 1956, Moshood Abiola began working as a bank clerk with Barclays Bank in Ibadan. After two years, he joined the Western Region Finance Corporation as an executive accounts officer. In 1960, he received a government scholarship to study at the University of Glasgow, where he earned a degree in accountancy and became a chartered accountant. He later became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Corporate Career and Business Expansion
After returning to Nigeria, he worked as a senior accountant at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, then at Pfizer, before joining ITT Corporation, where he eventually became vice-president for Africa and the Middle East.
While working at ITT, he cleared military debts owed to the firm, used that success to negotiate for more role in the company, and set up Radio Communication (RCN) as a side business, training employees to market telecom equipment to the military. This led to him being offered 49 per cent equity ownership of ITT’s Nigerian arm.
Business Ventures and Corporate Leadership
Abiola invested heavily across Nigeria and West Africa. He set up Abiola Farms, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder Bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Ocean Lines, Habib Bank, Decca W.A. Ltd, and Abiola football club.
He also served as chairman of the G15 business council, president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, patron of the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation and the W. E. B. Du Bois Foundation, trustee of the Martin Luther King Foundation, and director of the International Press Institute.
In 1983, he partnered with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Bamanga Tukur and Raymond Dokpesi to establish Africa Ocean Lines, which began operations in 1984 and expanded its shipping routes to the United Kingdom and Northern Europe.
Political Career and Early Involvement
Moshood Abiola started politics at 19 by joining the NCNC. In 1980, he switched to the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and became state chairman, staying in that role after being re-elected in 1983. He wanted to become president, but a military coup in 1983 ended civilian rule and stopped his plans.
In the 1980s, he supported Islamic causes through his National Concord newspaper, including advocating for a Sharia Court of Appeal in Southwestern Nigeria and Nigeria’s entry into the Organization of Islamic Countries. In 1984, he was given the title of Baba Adinni of Yorubaland. He also built a Quran training centre in Abeokuta named after his mother, Zulihat Abiola.
Return to Politics and the 1993 Election
After a decade of military rule, General Ibrahim Babangida faced pressure to return Nigeria to democratic rule. Abiola stood for the presidential nomination of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and beat Baba Gana Kingibe and Atiku Abubakar to secure the party’s nomination ahead of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.
Abiola announced his candidacy in February 1993 and won the SDP primaries in March 1993 after a closely contested race.
The June 12 1993 Presidential Election
In the 12 June 1993 presidential election, Abiola’s running mate was his former rival, Baba Gana Kingibe. He defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers.
Abiola won in many states, including Kano, and secured a national mandate, unprecedented for a Southern Muslim candidate. The election was cancelled by the military leader, Ibrahim Babangida. This caused a big problem in the country. Later, General Sani Abacha took power.
1993 Election: Unofficial Results
The 1993 Nigerian presidential election was between two main candidates:
- M. K. O. Abiola (SDP)
- Bashir Tofa (NRC)
The unofficial votes from each state, and the results reveal that Abiola won a majority of states, especially in the South, while Tofa performed better in some Northern states.
Results from the South
Abiola achieved very large victories in many Southern states:
- Ogun State: Abiola scored 425,725, while Tofa got 59,246.
- Ondo State: Abiola won with 883,024, Tofa 162,994.
- Lagos State: Abiola received 883,965, compared with Tofa’s 149,432.
- Oyo State: Abiola gained 536,011, Tofa 105,788.
- Osun State: Abiola secured 365,266, while Tofa had 72,068.
These results show Abiola’s strong support base in the Southwest and South.
Mixed Results in the South-East
In the South-East, the race was closer:
- Anambra: Abiola 212,024, Tofa 159,258.
- Imo: Tofa won with 195,836, while Abiola had 159,350.
- Enugu: Tofa narrowly led with 284,050, Abiola 263,101.
Northern States: Tofa’s Strongholds
Tofa won several Northern states, often by large margins:
- Bauchi: Tofa 524,836, Abiola 339,339.
- Katsina: Tofa 271,077, Abiola 171,162.
- Kebbi: Tofa 144,808, Abiola 70,219.
- Sokoto: Tofa 372,250, Abiola 97,726.
However, Moshood Abiola still won some Northern states such as:
- Kano: Abiola 169,619, Tofa 154,809
- Borno: Abiola 153,496, Tofa 128,684
- Taraba: Abiola 101,887, Tofa 64,001
- Yobe: Abiola 111,887, Tofa 64,061
Total Votes and National Impact
When the votes are added up, the unofficial totals were:
- Abiola (SDP): 8,341,309
- Tofa (NRC): 5,952,087
Abiola had a clear national lead, which is why the election is viewed as having been won by him.
Arrest, Detention, and Personal Tragedy
In June 1994, Abiola declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in Lagos. He was declared wanted by General Sani Abacha, who sent police vehicles to arrest him. Abiola was detained for four years, largely in solitary confinement.
During this time, his wife, Kudirat Abiola, was assassinated in 1996 after publicly supporting him. Abiola was offered freedom if he gave up his presidential win, but he refused. He was upset when Kofi Annan and Emeka Anyaoku wrongly said he had agreed to renounce it.
Death and Controversy
Moshood Abiola died on 7 July 1998 in Abuja, Nigeria, when he was 60 years old. This happened just after General Sani Abacha had died and on the very day Abiola was meant to be set free after being locked up for four years. While still in detention, Abiola suddenly collapsed during a meeting with foreign diplomats, including American diplomats Thomas Pickering and Susan Rice. His death shocked the whole country because many people believed he was finally about to regain his freedom.
After he died, doctors from Nigeria, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States carried out an independent examination of his body. They found that Abiola had serious heart problems that had been there for a long time. These heart problems were strong enough to cause sudden heart failure. Because of this, the official explanation says that Abiola died naturally from heart disease, and this is the version accepted by medical experts and historical records.
Even so, many people did not feel satisfied with this explanation. Abiola died while in the hands of a military government that many Nigerians did not trust. Human rights groups said he did not receive proper medical care while he was detained, which likely made his health worse. Because the government kept many details secret, people suspected that the full truth was not being told. A Nigerian investigation later said that the government at the time probably knew more about his death than it admitted.
Over the years, other stories have been told. One former security official claimed Abiola was beaten to death, but he never showed any proof. Some people also believe Abiola was poisoned. However, there is no solid evidence to support these claims. No tests or documents have proven that he was killed on purpose.
Wives and Children
Moshood Abiola was a well-known Nigerian leader who had several wives, which was common in his culture and religion. His first wife was Simbiat Atinuke Shoaga, and in 1973 he married Kudirat Abiola, who later became a famous democracy activist and was killed in 1996. He also married Adebisi Olawunmi Oshin and Doyinsola “Doyin” Abiola Aboaba, and other women like Modupe Onitiri-Abiola and Remi Abiola, the latter being an actress who had two children with him.
Abiola had a very large family, with most sources saying he had over 40 children. One son said about 120 women claimed to be connected to him, but only around 54 children were confirmed by DNA. His most famous child is Hafsat Abiola, known for her work in democracy and women’s rights. Other children often mentioned include Jamiu Biodun, Abdul Mumuni, Khafila, Moriam, Hadi, and Olalekan Yusau, with others like Kola, Lola Abiola-Edewor, Deji, and Hofsad also part of the family.
His family life was closely tied to his political work, and after his death, managing inheritance became complicated because of the many children and wives. Despite this, he is still remembered for his role in Nigeria’s history and his impact on many people.
Legacy and National Recognition
Since his death, Lagos State declared 12 June a public holiday, and other states later followed. In 2019, Nigeria officially made 12 June Democracy Day, replacing 29 May. MKO Abiola Stadium and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic were named in his honour, and a statue was erected.
He was also criticised by some, including a song by musician Fela Kuti that accused multinational corporations of draining Africa’s resources and mentioned Abiola. In 2012, former president Goodluck Jonathan announced renaming the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University of Lagos, but this decision was reversed after public backlash.
Democracy Day and Posthumous Awards
On 6 June 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari changed Nigeria’s Democracy Day from 29 May to 12 June in honour of the annulled 1993 election and Abiola. Buhari also posthumously awarded Abiola the highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR). On 11 June 2019, Buhari assented to a bill making 12 June a public holiday for Democracy Day.
In February 2025, Ibrahim Babangida expressed regret for cancelling the 1993 election and acknowledged that Abiola had won.
Awards
Moshood Abiola was a very respected man who received many awards. People around the world admired him for his work. He was named international businessman of the year twice and was given honorary doctorates by universities.
International Honours and Titles
In 1987, Washington, D.C. gave him a golden key to the city, which is a special honour. He also received awards from the NAACP, the King Center, and a Paris group that supports education.
Traditional Titles and National Honours
In Nigeria, Moshood Abiola was given a rare and important title called Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.
Even after he died, he was still honoured. In 1998, he received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), and in 2018, he was awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR). These honours showed how much people respected him.
Philanthropy and Community Contributions
Abiola became known for his philanthropic work. He provided financial assistance for the construction of 63 secondary schools, 121 mosques and churches, 41 libraries, and 21 water projects in 24 states. He was grand patron to 149 societies and associations.
M. K. O. Abiola supported Southern African liberation movements from the 1970s and sponsored campaigns for reparations for slavery and colonialism in Africa and the diaspora. He communicated with African heads of state and leaders in the black diaspora to encourage unity.
From 1972 until his death, he was conferred with 197 traditional titles by 68 different communities in Nigeria in recognition of his contributions.
MKO Abiola Net Worth
While some websites give very high figures, the most believable estimate is that Abiola was worth over $1 billion at his peak. He was one of Africa’s richest men, but because his assets were mostly private, there is no official or agreed figure.
M. K. O. Abiola got his wealth through a diverse range of business ventures across Nigeria and West Africa, starting from small trading businesses in his youth. He rose to prominence through his corporate role at ITT Nigeria, later expanding into media with the Concord Group of newspapers, telecommunications with Radio Communications Nigeria, agriculture and manufacturing with Abiola Farms and Wonder Bakeries, and transportation through Concord Airlines and Africa Ocean Lines.
He also invested in oil and energy via Summit Oil International, banking and finance, and real estate, making him one of the most influential business magnates of his time.