Babatunde Ogunnaike’s biography: All you need to understand about the co-creator of Nigeria’s national anthem
For those familiar with Nigeria’s history, the name Babatunde Ogunnaike would certainly resonate.
This is because he is part of Nigeria’s rich history, having contributed to the nation’s anthem, which remains in use today.
Ogunnaike was one of four individuals, alongside P.O. Aderibigbe, John Ilechukwu, Sota Omoigui, and Eme Etim Akpan, who submitted their works to create the new national anthem, which has been in effect since 1978.
However, on the 20th of February 2022, reports indicated that Babatunde Ogunnaike had passed away at the age of 65.
The announcement of Ogunnaike’s passing shocked many Nigerians, who took to various platforms to pay tribute to one of the composers of the current Nigerian national anthem.
This article delves into what you should know about Babatunde Ogunnaike; keep reading for more information.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Babatunde A Ogunnaike |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | March 26, 1956 |
| Age | 65 years old |
| Place of birth | Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State |
| Date of death | February 20th 2022 |
| Place of death | Hockessin, Delaware, U.S |
| Nationality | Nigerian, American |
| Profession | Engineer |
Babatunde Ogunnaike’s biography
Babatunde Ogunnaike was born on March 26, 1956, in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria; however, details about his parents remain unknown.
There are also no records indicating that he had any siblings. Babatunde Ogunnaike was, nonetheless, a Nigerian American and was 65 years old at the time of his passing.
Babatunde Ogunnaike’s education
Babatunde Ogunnaike acquired a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and began his teaching career in the same field in 1982, where he eventually advanced to become a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering.
In 1988, he left Unilag to pursue further studies and earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the same institution.
Babatunde Ogunnaike’s career
Babatunde Ogunnaike served as a Research Engineer with the Process Control team of the Shell Development Corporation in Houston, Texas, for a duration of one year.
Ogunnaike also worked as a researcher for DuPont and provided consulting services for numerous companies, including Gore, PPG Industries, and Corning Inc.
The composer of the Nigerian anthem later joined the University of Delaware’s faculty in 2002 and was appointed Dean of the College of Engineering in 2011.
Babatunde Ogunnaike authored several books, papers, and book chapters related to engineering.
Babatunde Ogunnaike’s personal life
Records indicate that he was battling cancer for a prolonged period before his death on February 20, 2022, in Hockessin, Delaware, U.S.
