Elsie Udoh
Family and Personal Life
Dr Doyin Okupe was born on March 22, 1952, in Iperu, Ogun State, Nigeria.
He was the son of Chief Matthew Adekoya Okupe, a banker with Agbonmagbe Bank. He had four brothers—Kunle, Owo, Wemi, and Larry—and two sisters, Aina Okanlawon and Bisola Ayeni.
Okupe’s educational journey began at St. Jude’s School in Ebute Metta, Lagos, followed by Igbobi College in Yaba, Lagos, and the University of Ibadan, where he pursued medicine.
He was married to Aduralere Okupe, and together they had two sons, Ditan and Bolu.
In January 2021, Bolu publicly came out as gay, a revelation that garnered significant attention in Nigeria. Despite societal pressures, Okupe expressed his unconditional love for his son while maintaining his personal beliefs.
READ ALSO: Doyin Okupe’s Cause of Death and Battle with Health Issues
Contributions to Nigeria
Okupe’s contributed significantly to both the medical and political landscapes of Nigeria.
Medical Contributions
After completing his medical training, Okupe worked in various government and private hospitals, including St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.
He co-founded the Royal Cross Medical Centre in Obalende, Lagos, alongside Dr. Seyi Roberts and Dr. Ladi Okuboyejo. As Managing Director, Okupe played a pivotal role in providing quality medical services to the community.
Political Contributions
Okupe’s political career spanned several decades (as far back as the second republic (1979–1983)) and he was actively involved in Nigeria’s political scene.
- Second Republic: During this period, Okupe contested for a seat in the House of Representatives under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), marking his entry into national politics.
- Third Republic: He served as the National Publicity Secretary of the National Republican Convention (NRC), playing a crucial role in shaping the party’s public image and communication strategies.
- Fourth Republic: Okupe held several key positions, including Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Olusegun Obasanjo and Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan. In these roles, he was instrumental in managing the administration’s public communications and media relations.
Throughout his career, Okupe was affiliated with various political parties including the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, National Party of Nigeria (NPN), National Republican Convention (NRC), United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), and Accord Party.
Legacy
Dr. Doyin Okupe’s contributions to Nigeria’s medical field and political sphere have left an indelible mark on the nation’s history and will continue to be an enduring inspiration for future generations.
Elsie Udoh is an SEO content writer who specialises in writing engaging stories that resonates with diverse audiences. She studied mass communication at the Lagos State University.
