President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has appointed a five-person delegation to attend the final burial rites of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and activist, who passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. The delegation will be led by George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and includes notable figures such as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

In a statement issued by Tinubu's media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the delegation's purpose is to convey the President's condolences to the Jackson family. The inclusion of various government representatives underscores the importance Nigeria places on its international relationships and the acknowledgment of Rev. Jackson's contributions to civil rights, both in the U.S. and in Africa.

Tinubu previously honored Jesse Jackson by describing him as “a great friend of Nigeria and Africa,” signaling the impact Jackson had through his activism and advocacy for social justice. This official representation at Jackson’s funeral signifies not only a gesture of solidarity with the U.S. civil rights movement but also reinforces Nigeria's diplomatic ties and shared values with global civil rights narratives.