President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria has joined world leaders in paying tribute to the late American civil rights icon, Baptist minister, and activist Jesse Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, President Tinubu described Rev. Jackson as a “servant-leader who dedicated his life to fighting for the dignity of Black people, the oppressed, and the voiceless in the United States and around the world.”
The president highlighted Jackson’s remarkable journey from a young activist working closely alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s to becoming one of the most enduring voices for racial and economic justice after King’s assassination in 1968.
Tinubu noted Jackson’s pivotal role in pushing for improved social and economic conditions for African Americans, as well as his consistent presence as a moral force in American politics and global affairs. He credited Jackson’s groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 with breaking racial barriers and helping pave the way for Barack Obama’s historic election as the first Black President of the United States in 2008.
Reflecting on his own experiences, President Tinubu recalled living in Chicago during the 1970s as a student, where he personally witnessed Jackson’s tireless battles against injustice, discrimination, and systemic inequality.
The Nigerian leader also emphasized Rev. Jackson’s deep and longstanding connection to Nigeria and the broader African continent. He described Jackson as a powerful moral voice against apartheid in South Africa, a leading advocate for the release of Nelson Mandela and other African National Congress leaders, and a key figure in mobilizing international support for economic sanctions against the apartheid regime.
During Nigeria’s periods of military rule, Jackson consistently championed human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law. Tinubu recalled Jackson’s service as Special Envoy to Nigeria and Africa under U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1997 and 1999, during which he worked to promote civil liberties, strengthen democratic institutions, and foster constructive relations across the continent.
President Tinubu described Rev. Jackson as a lifelong advocate for justice, equality, and human progress whose famous exhortation to “keep hope alive” has inspired generations across racial, national, and generational lines.
He concluded by praying for the peaceful repose of Jackson’s soul and extending heartfelt condolences to his family, the people of the United States, and all those whose lives were touched and uplifted by his extraordinary legacy of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2000), leaves behind a towering legacy as one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the post–Civil Rights Movement era.
His passing has prompted widespread tributes from global leaders, civil society organizations, and citizens who credit him with advancing the cause of equality, dignity, and hope for marginalized communities worldwide.
