Tinubu mourns Onwubuariri, the 48-year-old presidential media aide who served three administrations and died after a prolonged illness in Kano

President Bola Tinubu has mourned Peter Onwubuariri, a 48-year-old Assistant Director of Media at the Presidential Villa, who died in Kano on Monday, September 7, 2026, after a prolonged illness, describing the veteran journalist’s death as a painful loss to the Presidency, the media community and Nigeria.

Also read: UNIZIK Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike Over August Salary

Onwubuariri, a long-serving staff member of the News Agency of Nigeria, had reportedly received treatment for about a month at the Kano Cancer Hospital under a treatment arrangement authorised by the Kano State Government.

His wife, Catherine Ezinna, confirmed his death, while his remains were released from the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on Tuesday for burial in Owerri, Imo State.

The transfer of the remains brought together officials from Kano State and the Presidential Villa. Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesman for Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, handed over the body to Oche Egwa, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, who received it on behalf of Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu mourns Onwubuariri in a statement issued by Onanuga on Tuesday, expressing sorrow over the death of a journalist whose career combined newsroom experience with more than a decade of public service at the seat of government.

“Peter was a dedicated journalist and a committed public servant whose professionalism and calm disposition earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates,” Tinubu said.

The President added that Onwubuariri’s service across three administrations demonstrated his competence, integrity and commitment to duty.

“His passing is a great loss to the Presidential Villa, the media fraternity and Nigeria. He will be remembered for his diligence, his wealth of experience and his contributions to journalism and national service,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu extended his condolences to Onwubuariri’s wife, their three children, his wider family, colleagues and friends, while praying for strength for the bereaved family.

Onwubuariri’s professional journey had taken him from the newsroom to the highest levels of government reporting.

Before his posting to the Presidential Villa in 2014, Onwubuariri worked with NAN and rose to the position of Assistant Editor-in-Chief.

He also served as the agency’s North American correspondent, gaining experience in international reporting before returning to Nigeria.

At the Presidential Villa, Onwubuariri worked under the administrations of Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu.

His assignments covered a broad range of national issues, including foreign affairs, telecommunications, politics and finance, placing him at the centre of major government activities over more than a decade.

Former presidential aide Ahmad Bashir described Onwubuariri’s death as a significant loss to colleagues in the Villa’s Media Department.

Bashir remembered him as a dedicated professional and team player, highlighting the personal regard in which Onwubuariri was held by those who worked alongside him.

The death has prompted tributes to a journalist whose career was marked by continuity across different political administrations.

His ability to work through three successive presidencies offered a rare example of institutional experience within Nigeria’s government media system.

Also read: UNIZIK Lecturers Begin Indefinite Strike Over August Salary

For his colleagues, Onwubuariri’s legacy extends beyond the titles he held. His years in journalism and public service reflected a steady commitment to reporting, information management and national duty, leaving behind a professional record that will be remembered by the media community and the Presidential Villa.