As dawn broke on March 7, 2025, news of the passing of Dr. Doyin Okupe sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political and medical circles.
At 72, he had lived a life deeply woven into the nation’s history—both as a physician and a political strategist.
While details surrounding his passing remained unclear, family sources confirmed his demise, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, controversy, and dedication.
A Legacy Rooted in Medicine
Born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Okupe hailed from a distinguished family. His father, Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, was a banker at Agbonmagbe Bank. Following his early education at St. Jude’s School, Lagos, and Igbobi College, he pursued a medical degree at the University of Ibadan, setting the foundation for his early career.
Okupe worked at St. Nicholas Hospital and other medical institutions before taking a bold step in co-founding the Royal Cross Medical Centre with Dr. Seyi Roberts and Dr. Ladi Okuboyejo. He later became the Managing Director of the hospital, dedicating years to improving healthcare. His medical prowess was not just confined to the hospital—his quick intervention in 1994, alongside Dr. Seyi Roberts, saved a gunshot victim’s life, a moment that defined his passion for saving lives.
Beyond practice, he was a publisher, founding a health-focused newspaper, Life Mirror, which aimed to educate Nigerians on medical issues.
A Controversial Political Journey
Okupe’s passion for public service saw him step into the political arena in the 1980s. He contested for a House of Representatives seat under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1983, marking the beginning of a tumultuous career.
Read Also: Things to know about late PR icon mallam Kabir Dangogo
During the 1990s, he became the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and played a key role in the 1993 presidential election collation process. However, politics was not without its trials—he was detained under General Sani Abacha’s regime in 1996 and later disqualified from contesting the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) primaries in 1998.
Despite these setbacks, he remained undeterred. In the Fourth Republic, he was appointed Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and later vied for the Ogun State governorship under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2002. His expertise in political communication made him the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.
He went on to serve as spokesman for major PDP presidential aspirants, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Bukola Saraki, and Atiku Abubakar. In 2017, he briefly left the PDP for the Accord Party, but was expelled in 2018 for supporting Saraki’s PDP presidential bid. He later rejoined PDP and became the campaign spokesman for Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 election.
His political journey took another turn in 2022 when he joined the Labour Party (LP) and temporarily served as Peter Obi’s running mate before a substantive vice-presidential candidate was selected.
Controversies and Legal Battles
Okupe’s career was not without controversy. In 2012, he was probed by the EFCC for unexecuted contracts in Benue and Imo States. Later, in 2019, he was linked to the ₦702 million arms deal scandal, which further added to his complex political profile.
Family and Personal Life
Okupe was married to Aduralere Okupe, with whom he had two children. His family made headlines for different reasons—most notably in 2019, when he supported Atiku Abubakar, while his son, Ditan Okupe, publicly backed Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2020, Okupe and his wife battled COVID-19 but made a full recovery. In 2021, his son, Bolu Okupe, made headlines when he came out as gay while living in Paris, a revelation that sparked national conversations on LGBTQ+ rights in Nigeria.
Despite political differences within the family, both Okupe and Bolu later united in support of Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign.
A Life Remembered
With brothers Kunle, Owo, Wemi, and Larry Okupe, and sisters Aina Okanlawon and Bisola Ayeni, Okupe’s legacy extends beyond politics. He was a man of many parts—doctor, politician, strategist, and family man.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his contributions to medicine, politics, and public affairs will not be forgotten.