President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a five-member delegation to represent him and Nigeria at the final burial ceremonies of American civil rights icon, activist, and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson.
Jackson died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84 in Chicago.
According to reports, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, is heading the delegation.
A statement issued on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga listed other members of the team as 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.
The delegation is expected to formally convey President Tinubu’s condolences to the Jackson family.
In an earlier tribute, Tinubu described Reverend Jackson as a steadfast friend of Nigeria and the African continent. He praised him as a powerful moral voice who stood firmly against apartheid in South Africa and played a significant role in advocating for the release of Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the African National Congress. Tinubu also noted Jackson’s efforts in mobilising international support for sanctions against the apartheid regime.
The funeral activities 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., including another lying-in-state at the South Carolina Statehouse between March 1 and 5.
A “People’s Celebration” is set for March 6 at the House of Hope in Chicago, while a private homegoing service will be held on March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.