"A Towering Voice Has Fallen Silent": President Tinubu Mourns the Death of Civil Rights Icon Reverend Jesse Jackson

President Tinubu et Rev. Jesse Jackson 

​The world is in mourning following the passing of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a towering figure in the global struggle for civil rights, human dignity, and justice, who died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. His family confirmed that the renowned Baptist preacher and two-time U.S. presidential candidate passed away in Chicago after a long illness. Jackson, a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was widely regarded as the "conscience of the nation" and a relentless advocate for the poor, the voiceless, and the marginalized.

​President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined global leaders in paying tribute to the late icon, describing his death as a watershed moment for civil liberties. In a personal statement issued from the State House, President Tinubu hailed Jackson as a "servant-leader" whose influence extended far beyond American borders, notably in his efforts to advance democracy and good governance in Nigeria and across the African continent.

​A Legacy of Global Activism and "Keep Hope Alive"

​Reverend Jackson’s remarkable career spanned over six decades, from leading student sit-ins in the segregated South to scoring historic diplomatic victories by negotiating the release of international hostages. He was a pioneer who broke barriers in American politics with his 1984 and 1988 presidential runs, which galvanized millions of minority voters and paved the way for future generations.

​"In Nigeria and across Africa, Reverend Jackson promoted civil liberties and advanced the cause of democracy... He wanted us to ‘keep hope alive,’" President Tinubu remarked, recalling Jackson's role in linking African leaders with the Congressional Black Caucus to promote the continent's interests in Washington. The President also noted Jackson's steadfast support for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and his close friendship with the late Nelson Mandela.

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