The Ernest Sissei Ikoli Foundation has announced the passing of Mrs. Elsie Ajayi Ikoli, who died peacefully on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at her Lagos residence. She was 93 years old.
In a statement issued by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Chief Anthony George-Ikoli, the late Mrs. Ikoli was described as “a woman of the altar, industry, and unyielding grace,” whose passing represents “a profound loss to the people of Bayelsa, Lagos, and Nigeria as a whole.”
Fondly known as Mama Ayo, Mrs. Ikoli was celebrated for her intellect, resilience, and lifelong commitment to faith and service. She was the widow of the late Ernest Sissei Ikoli, Nigeria’s first editor of the Daily Times, publisher of the African Messenger, president of the Nigerian Youth Movement, founding member of the Action Group (AG), and Lagos representative in the Legislative Council.
The Foundation noted that Mrs Ikoli played a vital role behind the scenes of her husband’s political and journalistic career, managing correspondence, organising schedules, and providing steadfast support.
Following her husband’s passing, she joined Abbott Pharmaceuticals as a major distributor during its early years in Nigeria, where she became known for her work ethic and integrity. “In her, Abbott found not just a distributor but a disciple of diligence,” the statement read.
A devout member of the Salvation Army, Marina Corps, Mrs. Ikoli served as Welfare Keeper of the Home League Unit and was also active in the Women’s and Mother’s Ministries and the Nembe Women Society (Lagos Branch).
Chief Anthony George-Ikoli described her as “a good mother, a church servant, and a quiet revolutionary who turned duty into destiny and labour into love.”
Despite enduring personal loss, including the death of two of her children, Mrs. Ikoli remained steadfast in faith and service. The Foundation said she “believed work was worship, excellence an echo of the divine, and failure only a comma in God’s longer sentence.”
The Ernest Sissei Ikoli Foundation stated that it would continue to uphold the values of integrity, unity, and service that both Ernest and Elsie Ikoli championed to inspire future generations.
The order of obsequies-
Service of songs and nights of tributes would hold on Thursday, November 27, at the Citadel, 274, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, by 5:00pm.
The funeral service will be held at The Salvation Army Church, 11 Odunlami Street, Lagos, on Friday, November 28, 2025 followed by a private family interment for Elsie Ajayi Ikoli would take place immediately after the church service.
“Reception will be by 2:00 pm at The Hall Event Centre, 16 Musa Yar’Adua Street, Victoria Island, while the Thanksgiving Service will take place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at The Salvation Army Church, Lagos Island.
