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Some renowned Nigerian leaders who joyfully entered 2025 perished within a year.

While several notable leaders died at the start of the year, others joined their forebears around the conclusion of 2025.

ZINGTIE commemorates seven prominent politicians whose deaths shocked the country in 2025.

Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, the House of Representatives’ Deputy Chief Whip

The first important politician to die in 2025 was Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who died while serving as Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Representatives.

Onanuga, who represented the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency in Ogun State, died on January 15, 2025, following a brief illness.

The politician, who was re-elected in 2023 and appointed Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th Assembly, died at the age 60 years.

Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a prominent nationalist and leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, passed away just two months into 2025.

On February 14, 2025, the older statesman died quietly at his home in Lekki, Lagos State, at the age of 96.

On May 3, 2025, Adebanjo was buried amid tears in his village of Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark

Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, died on February 17, 2025, at the age of 98, following a brief illness in a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Mr Clark, a senior leader of the Ijaw ethnic community, died unexpectedly, according to numerous stakeholders.

Prior to his death, the South-South leader was seen at public events, with no evident signs of illness.

According to sources, Mr Clark had difficulties breathing overnight on February 16, prompting him to be sent to a private hospital in Abuja, where he tragically died.

On May 13, the elder statesman was laid to rest in Delta State’s popular town of Kiagbodo.

Doyin Okupe

Doyin Okupe, a seasoned politician and media strategist, died on March 7, 2025, aged 72.

Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson for Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, died in Lagos State after a protracted illness.

The former Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign was laid to rest on March 28, 2025, at his hometown, Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Former Governor of Kwara State, Adebayo

Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, a former senator and governor of Kwara state, passed dead on June 25, 2025.

Adebayo, who became governor of Kwara State during the Second Republic, died at the age of 84 years.

The elder statesman, who served as Minister of Communications and Transportation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2006, was buried in his birthplace of Isin, Kwara State.

Former President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari, the immediate past President of Nigeria, died on July 13, 2026, in London, United Kingdom, at the age of 82.

Buhari, who died after a brief illness in a London hospital, was buried on July 15, 2025, at his birthplace of Daura, Katsina State.

Several local and global politicians, including presidents and previous presidents, witnessed the former president’s interment.

Bayelsa Deputy Governor

Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, died on December 11 after slumping while working at his office.

Senator Douye Diri, the state governor, ordered an autopsy on Ewhrudjakpo’s remains to ascertain the cause of death.

Pained by the terrible incident, the governor declared a three-day state of mourning and ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast.

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