President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched a five-member delegation to represent Nigeria at the final burial rites of Jesse Jackson, the renowned American civil rights leader, activist, and former presidential candidate.
Jackson died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84 in Chicago.
The delegation is led by Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Other members include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs, Brian Browne; and the Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.
According to a State House press release issued on March 4, 2026, the delegation will formally deliver President Tinubu’s message of condolences to the Jackson family.
In an earlier tribute, President Tinubu described Reverend Jackson as a steadfast friend of Nigeria and the African continent. He praised Jackson’s moral leadership and his strong opposition to apartheid in South Africa, noting his prominent role in advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress.
The President also acknowledged Jackson’s efforts in mobilizing international support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.
The burial programme commenced on February 26 with a lying-in-state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago. Additional services were scheduled in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. from March 1 to 5, including a lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse.
A “People’s Celebration” is set to take place on March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, followed by a private homegoing service on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
