Shafi Edu

Shafi Lawal Edu (1911–2002) was a prominent Nigerian businessman and conservationist from Epe, Lagos State. He was born on the 7th of January 1911 into the Epe family of Lawani Edu. As a youth, he attended Epe Grammar School and undertook private lessons in higher education.

Career

He started his business career at the Africa Oil and Nuts Company, a subsidiary of Unilever. In 1945, he moved to Holland West Africa Lines and soon became the manager. As manager, he organized the Dutch shipping line's offices in the country and helped in expanding the business to other coastal cities.

Figuring out there were affordable untapped prospects in the Nigerian shipping industry, he left Holland West Africa Lines, and founded his own firm. Using his prior experience in the shipping industry, he found himself a niche in ship handling and stevedoring. He later expanded the venture into timber and other commodities. During the 1950s, he entered the political scene, he was elected into the western House of Assembly in 1951, and in 1954, he won a seat to the Federal House of Representatives. Concurrently, he was also a successful shipping service contractor.

As a prominent Lagosian, he spent a few years as a commissioner for health in Lagos. After his resignation, he focused his energy on various enterprises. He founded Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1980. One of his sons, Yomi Edu, was appointed Minister of Special Duties, by Olusegun Obasanjo.

References

• Tom Forest, The Advance of African Capital:The Growth of Nigerian Private Enterprise, University of Virginia Press (August 1994). ISBN 0-8139-1562-7