Veteran journalist and diplomat Dele Cole died on the morning of Saturday, 17 October 2026, at the age of 86, as confirmed by his family. He had previously led the Daily Times as managing director and served Nigeria as ambassador to Argentina and Brazil.
**When did he pass away?**
Family sources reported that Cole’s death occurred early on 17 October 2026. No further details about the cause of death were released at the time of reporting.
**What were his major career milestones?**
Cole began his media career as a non‑executive director of the Daily Times in 1975 before becoming its managing director, a role that cemented his reputation in Nigerian journalism. He later entered public service, acting as Special Adviser on International Relations to former President [Olusegun Obasanjo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olusegun_Obasanjo) from 1999 to 2007, and subsequently representing Nigeria as ambassador to Brazil and Argentina.
**What is known about his education?**
Born on 4 August 1940 in Abonnema, Kalabari Kingdom (now Rivers State), Cole attended St Bartholomew’s School in Enugu (1946‑1953), Baptist High School in Port Harcourt (1954‑1958) and Ibadan Grammar School (1959‑1960). He pursued higher studies abroad, first at the University of Otago in New Zealand (1962‑1965) and later at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom (1966‑1970). He was a fellow of King’s College, Cambridge (1970‑1973) and earned a doctorate in history from [University of Cambridge](https://www.cam.ac.uk).
**Did he have any political involvement?**
During the 1990s, Cole was linked to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), reflecting his broader engagement in Nigeria’s political landscape.
**How is his legacy described?**
Colleagues and family remembered Cole as a pioneering figure in both journalism and diplomacy, noting his contributions to the growth of the Daily Times and his role in strengthening Nigeria’s foreign relations with South America.
He leaves behind a legacy that spans media, academia, and international diplomacy, marking him as one of Nigeria’s most respected public figures of the 20th and early 21st centuries.