Dr. Doyin Okupe, a prominent Nigerian physician and politician, has reportedly passed away at the age of 72. He was scheduled to celebrate his 73rd birthday on March 22. Sources close to his family confirmed his death, as reported by Sahara Reporters. Okupe, who previously served as a presidential aide, had been battling health issues in recent weeks, with reports indicating that he had been seriously ill, raising concerns among his loved ones and supporters. His death has been linked to cancer, a condition he had been fighting for years.
In 2023, Okupe was hospitalized due to prostate cancer and was flown to Israel for medical care. Despite efforts to manage his condition, his health did not improve as expected. Okupe was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and later developed sarcoma in his right shoulder. In October 2024, he publicly shared his experience of overcoming cancer twice, attributing his healing to his unwavering faith in God. He stated, “This is my second cancer. I had prostate cancer, a major men’s killer, 16 years ago. Today, I am completely free of cancer.” He emphasized the importance of belief, urging Christians to have complete faith in the Bible.
Born on March 10, 1952, in Ogun State, Nigeria, Dr. Okupe pursued medical studies and became a trained physician. His career transitioned from medicine to politics, where he became a notable figure. His political journey commenced in the early 1990s when he served as the spokesperson for the National Republican Convention (NRC) during Nigeria’s Third Republic. He later held the position of Senior Special Assistant on Media to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2013, he was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, a role he maintained until 2015.
In the lead-up to the 2023 presidential elections, Okupe joined the Labour Party (LP) and was appointed as the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council for Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate. However, in December 2022, the Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party expelled Okupe and 11 others for violating the party’s constitution, specifically for failing to pay membership dues for six months. The state chairman, Michael Ashade, stated that Okupe’s failure to meet the mandatory constitutional requirements led to his expulsion. Following his expulsion, Okupe resigned from his position as the Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council. In his resignation letter addressed to Peter Obi, Okupe stated that his lifelong alignment with right-wing and liberal democratic principles conflicted with the Labour Party’s left-of-center ideology. He expressed that continuing in the party would be challenging due to this ideological difference.
Dr. Okupe is survived by his wife and children. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Nigerian politics, where he played various roles over the decades. His contributions to both the medical field and the political landscape of Nigeria will be remembered by many.
