Kolawole Agagu

Kolawole Agagu

Saginaw, Michigan

Kolawole Agagu, age 73 of Saginaw, passed away May 29, 2026.

The late Engr Kolawole Agagu was born on August 31,1952 into the family of the late Chiefs Mr. Elisha Olagundoye Agagu and Mrs. Paulina Silejene Agagu (Nee Balogun) of Iju-Odo, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) of the Ondo State of Nigeria. He was the second-born of five children. His late father was a retired principal who served the Ondo state government for 35 years, and his late mother served as a one-time councilor for the Okitipupa Local Government.

Kolawole Agagu attended the Local Authority Primary School Ilutitun, Osooro, in Okitipupa LGA of the Ondo state from 1959 to 1964. He proceeded to the Anglican Grammar School Igbaraoke in the Ondo state for his secondary education from 1966 to1970. He advanced to the Higher School Certificate course at Ijebuode Grammar School, Ijebuode, in the Ogun state from 1971 to 1972.

After grammar school, he assumed a teaching position with the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School Iju-Odo, where he taught Physics and Chemistry from 1973 to1975. Around this time, he was offered a job from the Elder Demster Shipping line as a mariner, but his father overruled this choice. He then sought and gained admission into Auch Polytechnics to study mechanical engineering, but became more interested in learning to fly. His next venture led him to depart Nigeria, having secured admission to the School of Aviation in Montreal, Canada in 1975, where he eventually graduated with a pilot’s license.  His educational appetite next led him to the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, where he studied aircraft maintenance. He subsequently moved to St. Louis, where he continued to study aircraft maintenance at Parks College, a division of St. Louis University. He became employed at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in St. Louis as a mechanic, as well. An interest in metallurgy developed during his employment as a mechanic, such that he eventually attended the Missouri University of Science and Technology of Rolla, Missouri, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. Afterward, after a brief year of metallurgy-related employment in Decatur, Illinois, he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin in order to pursue a master's degree in metallurgical engineering.

He secured an appointment with General Motors Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, in August, 1985, as a Materials Engineer, but quickly rose to a senior level position in the Powertrain Division. During his sojourn at General Motors, he made significant contributions to resolving some agelong problems related to castings. He also developed an improved gear and transmission system that significantly elevated the quality of the cars produced by General Motors. Based on this achievement, he was awarded a spot in the General Motors Hall of Fame and was recognized with an award from the international auto industry community.

He retired voluntarily from General Motors in October 2008.

The late Kolawole, while alive, was an amiable person. He was jovial, very humorous, inventive, poetic, caring, and ALWAYS engaged in the pursuit of his beloved knowledge.

He is survived by his children: Busola Kemisola Akeusola (daughter) and Sola Akeusola (son-in- law); Acha Remi Followell (daughter)

He is survived by his grandchildren: Jopelo Akeusola (grandson) and  Oluwasindara Akeusola (granddaughter)

He is survived by his siblings: Funmilola Agagu (brother) and Mrs. Taiwo Agagu (sister-in-law); Akinwumi Agagu (brother); Modupe Awoku (sister) and Mr. Olufunso Awoku (brother-in-law); Olabode Agagu (brother) and Mrs. Ranmilowo Agagu (sister-in-law)

Funeral Service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 26th at Cederberg-Brietzke Funeral Home, 403 N. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Saginaw following the funeral service on the 26th of June. 

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