Dr. Doyin Okupe, former aide to Obasanjo and Jonathan, has died at 72 after battling cancer. A physician-turned-politician, Okupe played key roles in Nigerian politics but faced legal controversies. He was convicted for money laundering in 2022 but avoided prison. His wife and children survive him.
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former presidential aide and medical doctor, has died at the age of 72 following a long fight with cancer. His family confirmed that his health had declined significantly in recent weeks. Initially diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago, Okupe later developed sarcoma in his right shoulder. Despite undergoing treatment abroad, his condition worsened, leading to his passing.
Okupe, who was born in Iperu, Ogun State, pursued a medical career at the University of Ibadan before co-founding the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Lagos. However, his political influence grew over the years, serving as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) during the Third Republic. He later worked as a media aide to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. In 2022, he briefly held the position of vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party before stepping down and later led the party’s presidential campaign before resigning in 2024.
His career was not without controversy, as he was convicted in 2022 for violating the Money Laundering Act. Although sentenced to two years in prison, he avoided jail by paying a fine. Okupe is survived by his wife, Aduralere, and children, including his son Bolu, who made headlines in 2021 after publicly coming out as gay.
