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25 Prominent Nigerians Who Died From COVID-19
The Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital confirmed the first case of coronavirus infection in Nigeria on February 27th, 2020. It was confirmed on an Italian man who arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight from Milan on February 24. Nigerians Who Died From COVID-19
Since then, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded over 201,630 infections and 2,654 deaths.
Aside from health workers and ordinary Nigerians, the virus has claimed a number of high-profile victims.
Here is a list of 25 prominent Nigerians who died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Suleiman Achimugu
Suleiman Achimugu is a former Managing Director of PPMC, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in charge of petroleum product marketing and distribution.
He died on March 23, 2020, after becoming ill with the virus after returning to the country from the United Kingdom. Achimugu’s death is Nigeria’s first coronavirus-related death.
Victor Ikwuemesi
Chief Victor Ikwuemesi founded Sosoliso Airlines Limited.
Ikwuemesi, who was born in Anambra State, died on April 13, 2020, in London, United Kingdom, after contracting the virus.
Abba Kyari
Abba Kyari served as President Mohammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff since 2015. In Buhari’s government, he was a powerful member of the “cabal” that ran the show.
On March 24, 2020, it was revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 following an official trip to Germany nine days before.
Kyari announced on March 29, 2020, that he was being transferred from isolation in Abuja to Lagos for “preventive treatment.” Kyari died on the evening of April 17, 2020, at the age of 67.
Adebayo Osinowo
Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo also known as Pepper was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He was a Senator representing Lagos East in the Ninth Nigerian National Assembly until his death.
On June 15, 2020, Bayo Osinowo died as a result of COVID-19 complications.
Dan Foster
Daniel Foster was a radio personality and media consultant from the United States who lived in Nigeria.
Foster died on June 17, 2020, a day after being diagnosed, as a result of COVID-19 complications.
He was 61 years old at the time.
Abiola Ajimobi
Abiola Ajimobi was the governor of Oyo State twice.
Ajimobi died on June 25, 2020, at the age of 70, from COVID-19 complications.
Nasir Ajanah
Nasir Ajanah was Kogi State’s Chief Judge and a Life Bencher.
He died in an Abuja hospital in the early hours of Sunday, June 28, 2020, at the age of 64.
Wahab Adegbenro
Wahab Adegbenro was the commissioner of health in Ondo State. In the state, he led the task force against COVID-19.
Adegbenro died on July 2, 2020, from COVID-19 complications at the state’s infectious disease hospital. He was 65 years old.
Tunde Buraimoh
Tunde Braimoh was the former Chairman of Lagos State’s Kosofe Local Government Area.
Braimoh, 60, died on July 10, 2020, in a hospital near Ikorodu Road.
Buruji Kashamu
Buruji Kashamu was a politician who served as a Senator in the 8th National Assembly, representing Ogun East.
On August 8, 2020, he died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. He was 62 years old at the time.
Idongesit Nkanga
Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga was the former military governor of Akwa Ibom State during Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.
Nkanga was the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum until his death on December 24, 2020, at the age of 68. (PANDEF).
Femi Odekunle
Professor Femi Odekunle served on Itse Sagay’s Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.
On Tuesday, December 29, 2020, he died at the COVID-19 isolation center in Gwagalada, Abuja. He was 77 years old at the time.
Bashir Aminu
Before his death, Alhaji Bashir Aminu was a major contender for the royal throne in Kaduna State’s Zazzau Emirate.
On January 1, 2021, the prince of the Katsinawa royal household died at the age of 71.
Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe was a former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Akoka .
Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe died on January 3, 2021, at the age of 71.
Dauda Birma
Alhaji Birma was a former education minister. He also ran for president on the platform of the now-defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
Birma, 81, died in the early hours of Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at his home in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
Duro Ajeyalemi
Professor Duro Ajeyalemi was the dean of the Lagos State University Faculty of Education. He was the Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board’s (JUPEB) first registrar. In November 2020, he retired at the age of 70.
On January 6, 2021, Ajeyalemi was said to have died at the COVID-19 isolation center at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.
Ebere Onwudiwe
Professor Ebere Onwudiwe taught Political Science at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.
He was a well-known economist, political scientist, prolific writer, Afro-optimist advocate, and respected public intellectual.
Onwudiwe, 68, died of COVID-19 complications on Saturday, January 9, 2021.
Ndubuisi Kanu
Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu was a former Lagos State military administrator.
He was also a pro-democracy activist who supported restructuring and democratic governance.
Kanu, 77, died on January 13, 2021, in his hometown of Imo State.
Bolu Akin-Olugbade
The late Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade was a businessman and lawyer. He held the traditional title of Owu Kingdom’s Aare Ona-Kankanfo.
Mr Rolls Royce was a nickname given to Prince Akin-Olugbade because he was one of the world’s largest collectors of Rolls Royce automobiles.
Akin-Olugbade, 64, contracted the coronavirus and died on January 13, 2021, at Paelon Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.
Bala Bawa Ka’oje
Bala Bawa Ka’oje was a former sports minister and the chairman of the National Sports Commission.
On January 19, 2021, he died at the age of 60.
Gambo Jimeta
Former Inspector-General of Police Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta (IGP) was also a national security adviser to Ibrahim Babangida, the former military ruler of Nigeria.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also appointed Jimeta to the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
He died on January 21, 2021, at the age of 84.igerians Who Died From COVID-19
Abba Tor Masta II, Shehu of Dikwa
His Royal Highness, Dr Abba Tor Masta II, the Shehu of Dikwa in Borno State, was the second in line after the Shehu of Borno.
He passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 23. He was 75 years old at the time. Nigerians Who Died From COVID-19
Abdulkadir Orire
Abdulkadir Orire was Kwara State’s former Grand Khadi.
Between 1975 and 1999, he was the first and longest-serving Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court of Appeal.
Orire passed away on January 26, 2021. He was 87 years old.
Mohammed Fawehinmi
On August 11, 2021, Mohammed Fawehinmi, Gani Fawehinmi’s first son, died of COVID complications.
He was the head of Mohammed Fawehinmi Chambers, the director of Nigerian Law Publications Limited, the director of Books Industries Nigeria Limited, and the director of Gani Fawehinmi Library and Gallery Limited until his death. He was 52 years old.
Hadiza Shagari
Hajiya Hadiza Shehu Shagari was the widow former Nigerian President Shehu Shagari. She died on 12 August 2021 at age 80 after battling Covid-19 at the Gwagwalada Isolation Center in Abuja. Nigerians Who Died From COVID-19
