President Bola Tinubu has constituted a five-member delegation to represent Nigeria at the burial of American civil rights leader, activist and former presidential candidate, Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Jackson, who died at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026, in Chicago, was widely recognised for his decades-long advocacy for civil rights, social justice and global equality.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, will lead the Nigerian delegation.
Other members of the delegation include the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Special Presidential Envoy for Global and Pan-African Affairs, Brian Browne; and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye.
According to the statement, the delegation will deliver President Tinubu’s message of condolences to the Jackson family on behalf of the Nigerian government and people.
The burial activities for the renowned civil rights leader began on February 26 with a lying-in-state ceremony at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago.
Additional memorial services are scheduled to hold in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., including another lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse between March 1 and March 5.
A public memorial tagged “People’s Celebration” will take place on March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, while a private homegoing ceremony will be held on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
In an earlier tribute, President Tinubu described Jackson as a steadfast friend of Nigeria and Africa whose influence transcended the United States.
He noted that the late activist was a powerful moral voice and played a major role in international campaigns against apartheid in South Africa.
Tinubu also recalled Jackson’s advocacy for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress, as well as his efforts in mobilising global support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.
The President said Jackson’s legacy of courage, justice and advocacy for human dignity would continue to inspire future generations across the world.
Byline
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
