By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The diplomatic community in Cameroon has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of Ambassador Taofik Obasanjo Coker, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the North West and South West regions. The seasoned diplomat who was in his early fifties, was reported dead on the evening of August 16, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest that led to his hospitalisation at the Biaka University Hospital in Buea. His remains, as of press time, had been flown out of Cameroon, The SUN learnt.
Ambassador Obasanjo’s demise marks the end of a relatively brief but impactful tenure in Cameroon. He arrived in the country on May 10, 2024, shortly after his appointment in April of the same year, replacing Ambassador Lawal Bappah. Since then, he had been actively engaged in strengthening diplomatic relations and ensuring Nigeria’s representation in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
In his one year and three months of service, Ambassador Obasanjo demonstrated a hands-on approach to diplomacy. Notably, on July 9, 2025, he paid an official visit to the Buea Royal Palace, underscoring his respect for traditional institutions and his commitment to deepening ties with local communities. He also nurtured academic and cultural relations, particularly through his close engagement with the Biaka University Institute of Buea, reflecting his belief in the power of education as a tool for cross-border cooperation.
However, his tenure was not without challenges. One of the most trying episodes of his service was the high-profile kidnapping of Cameroonian administrator, Ewane Rowland, the Divisional Officer of Idabato in Ndian Division, and his colleague, Etongo Ismael, by Nigerian pirates. The abduction, which occurred on October 1, 2024, strained relations between the two neighbouring nations and tested the resilience of bilateral cooperation.
At the height of the crisis, Ambassador Obasanjo played a pivotal role in reassuring Cameroonian authorities of Nigeria’s commitment to resolving the matter. He worked closely with South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, to ensure both governments were aligned in their efforts. His intervention proved crucial, as Mr. Ewane was eventually freed in March 2025, while Mr. Etongo regained his freedom on July 16, 2025, after spending nine months in captivity.
The successful resolution of the abduction incident was widely seen as a testament to Ambassador Obasanjo’s diplomatic skills and his ability to manage sensitive cross-border issues.
His death, therefore, comes as a heavy blow not only to the Nigerian community in Cameroon but also to Cameroonian authorities who had come to value his cooperative spirit.
Beyond the political and diplomatic corridors, Ambassador Obasanjo will be remembered for his personable and approachable nature. Colleagues and acquaintances describe him as a bridge-builder who sought to foster understanding and trust in a region often marked by tension and uncertainty. His presence in Buea was characterised by both official engagements and personal connections that endeared him to many.
His passing occurs barely two months before Cameroon’s Presidential election, a period when regional diplomacy remains crucial. It also brings an abrupt end to a tenure that had begun to show promising avenues for deepened cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon, particularly in security and cross-border relations.
As tributes continue to pour in, Ambassador Obasanjo’s legacy is likely to be defined by his steadfast commitment to duty, his tactful handling of crises, and his dedication to nurturing Nigeria-Cameroon ties. For both nations, his death is not just the loss of a diplomat but of a man who understood the delicate balance of neighbourly relations and sought to build on it.
In the wake of his departure, attention will now turn to the Nigerian government to appoint a successor capable of continuing the work he began. Meanwhile, the people of the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, alongside Nigerians residing there, mourn a diplomat whose time was brief but whose impact was profound.