Dr. Doyin Okupe, a prominent Nigerian politician and physician, has passed away at the age of 72.
Family sources confirmed that he had been critically ill for weeks before his death early Friday, March 7.
Okupe was diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and also later reportedly developed sarcoma in his right shoulder.
In October 2023, he was hospitalized and flown to Israel for treatment, but his condition did not improve as hoped. SaharaReporters confirmed that cancer was the cause of death.
Professional Life and Politics
Born in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe was the son of Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, a banker with Agbonmagbe Bank. He studied at St. Jude’s School in Ebute Metta, Igbobi College in Yaba, and later earned a medical degree from the University of Ibadan.
He co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos, with his colleagues, Dr. Seyi Roberts and Dr. Ladi Okuboyejo. Dr Okupe managed the hospital for years before transitioning into politics.
His political career started as National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) during the botched Third Republic. He later served as Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan.
In 2022, Okupe briefly held the position of vice-presidential candidate for the Labour Party but later stepped down. He was later appointed Director-General of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation.
However, in January 2024, he resigned from the party, citing ideological differences. He described the LP as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” for the 2023 elections.
Legal Issues and Family Life
Okupe is married to Aduralere Okupe and had children, including Ditan and Bolu. In April 2020, he and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 but later recovered. His son, Bolu, made headlines in 2021 after publicly coming out as gay, which initially embarrassed his father, but he later rose to protect him from public ridicule.
In December 2022, Okupe was convicted of violating the Money Laundering Act for receiving over ₦200 million in cash from the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). Nigerian law prohibits individuals from accepting cash payments above ₦5 million without processing them through a financial institution.
Okupe received multiple ₦10 million payments between 2012 and 2015, which he claimed were for running his office and handling public relations for the administration. The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced him to two years in prison on 26 counts, but he avoided jail by paying a ₦13 million fine.
Dr Okupe’s death came as a rude shock to Nigerians, who have had to deal with passing of several prominent political figures in recent times, including Afenifere leader, Pa Adebanjo and PANDEF boss, Pa Edwin Clark.
Okupe will be remembered for his contributions to governance, healthcare, and public discourse.
The grieving family was silent on any funeral arrangements.
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