Plans have been unveiled for the funeral of renowned sickle cell advocate, humanitarian, nonprofit leader, and founder of the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), Toyin Ibidunni Adesola, fondly remembered across Nigeria’s healthcare advocacy community as the Sickle Cell General.
The Adesola Family and SAMI announced that a Service of Songs and Night of Tribute will hold on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at The Lekki Coliseum (TLC), Lekki Phase One, Lagos, beginning from 4:30 p.m., while the funeral service is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026, at the same venue by 10:00 a.m.
In the spirit of uniting people under a cause which Toyin championed in her lifetime, the family and SAMI encourages guests attending the tribute night to appear in aso ebi or with a touch of deep red to honor her life of service and impact. For the funeral service, attendees can wear a touch of deep green with gold gele or fila in honour of the late advocate’s life and legacy.
Toyin Adesola, who passed on May 11, 2026, at the age of 60, was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential voices in sickle cell advocacy. Through SAMI, the organisation she founded, she championed awareness campaigns, psychosocial support initiatives, genotype education, counseling, and healthcare advocacy for persons living with sickle cell disorder.
She also served as the longest-serving Chairman of the Coalition of Sickle Cell NGOs, where she played a leading role in uniting advocacy groups and amplifying national conversations around sickle cell care, inclusion, and public enlightenment.
Over the years, her resilience, compassion, and tireless commitment to humanity earned her admiration across civil society, the medical community, and humanitarian circles, with many affectionately referring to her as the Sickle Cell General.
The family further disclosed that condolence registers have been opened at the SAMI Centre in Surulere, Lagos, where partners, friends, and well-wishers can also obtain details regarding the aso ebi for the tribute event. Also, they have opened an online tribute page – https://www.forevermissed.com/toyin-ibidunni-adesola?short_code=VYyz5Nlp – for people to share their memories.
Even in death, many believe Toyin Adesola’s enduring legacy will continue to inspire generations of advocates and strengthen the movement she devoted her life to building.
