President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the death of Hajiya Hadiza Jega, wife of former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega. The President's condolences were delivered through Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the Janazah prayer held at the National Mosque in Abuja on Sunday, April 5, 2026. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described Hadiza Jega as a woman of "uncommon grace and character" and commended her support for her husband during his years in public service. He also acknowledged her work in education and community development.
Tinubu offered personal condolences to Professor Jega, saying, "Dear Professor Jega, it is with a heavy heart that I receive the news of the passing of your beloved wife of over 40 years. Hajiya was an exceptional woman. I mourn this painful loss with you and your family and pray that God Almighty grant her Aljannatul Firdaus. I stand with you and your family at this difficult time." The death of Hajiya Hadiza Jega was confirmed in a statement by Bayero University, Kano, where Professor Jega previously served as Vice-Chancellor. The university announced the Janazah prayer would follow Zuhr prayers at the National Mosque.
A sitting president personally mourning the spouse of a former election chief is uncommon in Nigerian political culture, where such gestures often carry symbolic weight. Tinubu's message through Shettima's presence at the mosque underscores a rare acknowledgment of Jega's role during a turbulent electoral era. For Nigerians, this signals that principled public service—even when inconvenient to those in power—may still earn eventual recognition. It does not change policy, but it quietly affirms value in institutional integrity.
