Tunji Otegbeye

Jeremiah Olatunji Otegbeye (14 July 1925 – 9 October 2009) was a Nigerian politician, trade unionist and medical doctor.

Early life and career Otegbeye was born in Ilaro, where he attended the Christ Church Primary School. Between 1942 and 1947 he studied at the Government College in Ibadan. In London he was active in the Nigerian Union and the West African Students' Union, and was a frequent speaker at the Hyde Park Speakers Corner. He rapidly became the president of the NYC, and under his leadership the movement became more radical. He was also charged with and convicted for (along with seven colleagues) having led the 15 February 1961 riots that followed the killing of Patrice Lumumba. The arrest caused a diplomatic stir, and the Soviet ambassador was recalled twice to Moscow for consultations. The Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Leonid Ilichev made a visit to Lagos, after which Otegbeye was released.

Otegbeye was a member of the 1977 Constituent Assembly.

Later life During the perestroika years, Otegbeye fell out of grace with the Soviet leadership. Likewise, he began to distance himself from Moscow. Otegbeye began moving toward conservative positions and became a leading figure of the Yoruba Council of Elders. During the Sani Abacha regime, Otegbeye was active in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).