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