Prominent leaders, technocrats, others expected in Lagos as Elsie Ajayi Ikoli begins final journey

Prominent leaders, technocrats, others expected in Lagos as Elsie Ajayi Ikoli begins final journey

The Ernest Sisei Ikoli Foundation on Monday announced that prominent leaders, technocrats and business moguls are expected to converge on Lagos on Friday, November 28, 2025, as the remains of Madam Elsie Ajayi Ikoli are laid to rest.

The Foundation also confirmed Elsie Ajayi Ikoli’s body will lie in state for one hour in Surulere before a funeral service is held at The Salvation Army Church, 11 Odunlami Street, Lagos Island.

‘’The service of songs and reflection of Elsie Ajayi Ikoli’s life and legacy will be held on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at the Citadel, 274, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island by 5:00pm. On Friday, November 28, 2025, the body will depart Lagos University Teaching Hospital at 7:00am. Elsie Ajayi Ikoli’s body will lie in state in her 26, Eric Moore Close home. The funeral service will be held at The Salvation Army Church, 11 Odunlami Street, Lagos Island. This will be followed by interment at Ebony Vaults & Gardens, Ikoyi. The entertainment of guests will take place at The Hall Event Centre, 16 Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island while Thanksgiving Service will take place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at The Salvation Army Church, Lagos Island’’ a statement from the Ernest Ikoli Foundation said.

Elsie Ajayi Ikoli died on September 2, 2025, in Lagos.

The Ernest Ikoli Foundation Statement said Elsie Ajayi Ikoyi was a woman liked by everybody because she had dignity and integrity.

‘’Mama Elsie Ajayi Ikoli was a mother to all, a church servant and a study in humility.

The woman of the altar, industry and unyielding grace was born beneath the golden skies of Kaduna on June 24, 1932″

The statement highlighted Mama Ayo’s intellect, resilience, wisdom and sobriety.

“Mama Ayo’s mind was a boundless library. She devoured books not for ornament, but for illumination — a habit that would later become the quiet engine of her wisdom”

The statement issued in Lagos by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Ernest Ikoli Foundation, Chief Anthony George- Ikoli (SAN), highlighted professionalism, apprenticeship in nation-building and her role as Executive Assistant to the First Editor of Daily Times, Publisher of African Messenger, President of the Nigerian Youth Movement, one of the founders of Action Group (AG) and representative of Lagos in the Legislative Council, Ernest Ikoli.

“Mama Ayo moved with quiet precision behind the scenes of history. While Ernest drafted editorials that stirred the conscience of a colony awakening to freedom, Mama Ayo kept the rhythm of his days — managing correspondence, organizing schedules, shielding one of the activists of Nigeria’s political history from distraction”