Mr. Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, SAN, OFR, was born on July 10 1934 to the family of the late Mr. Jacob Mofolorunsho Majiyagbe and the late Madam Victoria Olatilewa Majiyagbe in Lagos, Nigeria.

He attended Holy Trinity School, Ebute-ero in Lagos, and completed his secondary education at Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesa.

Mr. Majiyagbe obtained his law degree from the University of London and was called to the Bar of England and Wales (Honourable Society of the Middle Temple) in 1964. He attended the Nigerian Law School in 1965 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1966.

In 1971, he established the law firm of J.B. Majiyagbe & Co. in Kano and later opened an Abuja office.

Mr. Majiyagbe’s professional achievements are numerous; he served in many capacities in various legal associations, including vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association (1975 – 1977) and member of its National Executive Committee (1975 – 1978). He was also a member of the International Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

In 1980, he was conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Mr. Majiyagbe contributed to the development of legal education in Nigeria. He was a member of the Council of Legal Education (1979 – 1991) and served as chairman of the Council (1987 – 1991). He was also a member of the Body of Benchers, the Interim Judicial Service Committee, Kano State, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Nigerian Law.

A Rotarian since 1967, Mr. Majiyagbe was a member of the Rotary Club of Abuja Metro and served in various capacities in Rotary International. He was the first and only African to date to be appointed President of Rotary International (2003 – 2004). He was appointed chairman of the Rotary International Board of Trustees in 2008. He was also the chairman of the African Regional PolioPlus Committee and a member of the International PolioPlus Committee.

In recognition of his numerous contributions to legal advocacy and humanity, Mr. Majiyagbe was conferred with a national honour – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2008.

He served as the first Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Kano and was a member of St. Georges Anglican Church, Kano and St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja. Also, he was the Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kano Branch, and Coroner for Kano State.

He was married to the late Mrs. Adeola Majiyagbe (nee Williams) who was a loyal companion until her passing in 2003.

Mr. Majiyagbe lived for the good of humanity with humility, kindness, and integrity.

He passed on Saturday, May 27 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ayo Majiyagbe, son, Folorunsho Majiyagbe, SAN, three grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.