Known for his frequent trips to Europe for medical check-ups and leisure, Arisekola was in Switzerland on Monday, June 16, 2014, for routine medical consultations. After concluding his visit, he informed associates in Nigeria that he would return home on Wednesday, June 18.
However, fate had other plans.On Tuesday, June 17, he travelled to London for a business meeting—unaware it would be his final engagement. He died the following day, Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at his London residence. He was 69.
Born on February 14, 1945, in Oyo State to Alhaji Abdur Raheem Olatunbosun Olaniyan Alao and Alhaja Rabiatu Olatutu Abegbe Alao, Arisekola’s early years were shaped by modest beginnings. His parents were peasant farmers, and his initial passion leaned strongly toward Islamic education, which he began at the age of three.Though reluctant to pursue Western education, the intervention of a teacher ensured he completed primary school in 1960. He later attended Lagelu Grammar School in Ibadan but dropped out due to financial constraints.
Undeterred by limited formal education, Arisekola ventured into business early. In 1961, he founded Azeez Arisekola Trading Company, dealing in Gammalin 20.His entrepreneurial drive soon expanded into the automobile industry with the establishment of Lister Motors in 1972, becoming a major dealer of Datsun vehicles. His success even inspired legendary musician Ebenezer Obey, who immortalized him in an album of praise.Over time, his business empire grew into the Lister conglomerate, spanning food supply, real estate, oil, flour mills, insurance, media, and agriculture. Notably, his company secured contracts to supply food to Nigerian troops under ECOMOG peacekeeping missions during the regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha.
A devout Muslim, Arisekola was a pillar of Islamic development in Nigeria. He was turbaned Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland in 1980 in recognition of his contributions to Islam.He was also a major financier of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria and sponsored hundreds of Nigerians on pilgrimage (Hajj) annually.In 2008, he was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Arisekola’s life remains a powerful story of resilience, faith, and enterprise—rising from humble beginnings to national prominence.That he passed away on the very day he had planned to return home adds a deeply emotional layer to his legacy—a reminder of life’s unpredictability and the enduring impact of a life well lived.He is survived by his wives, children, and a legacy that continues to resonate across business, religion, and philanthropy.
