Nearly three months after his tragic death in Ghana, the remains of late Nigerian boxer Segun “Success” Olanrewaju are set to arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday, June 17, bringing some relief to his grieving family.
His mother, speaking ahead of the long-awaited repatriation, said the family is still uncertain about the exact arrival time but is thankful that her son is finally coming home.
“Thank God they are bringing him on Tuesday. We are not sure if it’s morning or evening yet, but we are glad he is coming home now,” she said. Still mourning the loss of her son, she added that while the return of his body offers some comfort, it does not erase the pain of losing him.
“They should just bring him. Even when he comes, I don’t think I will be okay yet. But they should just bring him so we can bury him and he can have rest,” she said.
The family has begun preparing for his arrival, with some members planning to go to the airport, while others will await the body’s return to Ota, Ogun State, where the burial will take place.
“Some of us will go to the airport to receive his body while the rest of us wait here in Ota. Once the body arrives, we will bury him,” she explained.
The burial is expected to hold on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on when the remains arrive in Lagos. If it’s a late-night arrival, the family plans to hold the burial the following day.
“Since we’re hearing it may be late Tuesday night, we might bury him on Wednesday. But if he arrives early on Tuesday, then it will be that same day,” she said.
Taiwo Azeez, a close family friend and mentor to the late boxer, expressed appreciation for the repatriation while acknowledging the pain that remains.
“We give glory to God that his body is coming now. Everyone is still trying to make peace with the loss because no matter how much we wish, we cannot bring him back,” Azeez said. “I’ll be there to help with the burial arrangements so he can be laid to rest with dignity.”
The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) confirmed that Olanrewaju’s remains would arrive on June 17, following protracted diplomatic and legal arrangements.
In a letter dated June 10 and addressed to the President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), NBBofC General Secretary Remi Aboderin confirmed that arrangements for repatriation had been concluded after discussions involving NBBofC President Dr. Rafiu Oladipo and Ghanaian officials.
Aboderin revealed that logistical hurdles contributed to the delay, noting that the body would pass through Lomé (Togo) and Cotonou (Benin Republic) before arriving in Lagos. He added that, upon arrival, the body would go straight to burial without requiring mortuary storage.
“The journey has been logistically difficult, and because of that, the burial—originally intended for the same day—may now happen on Wednesday,” he said.
The NBBofC has been working closely with the family to ensure a dignified burial, with boxing stakeholders, friends, and well-wishers expected to attend the final rites.
Segun Olanrewaju, popularly known as “Success”, tragically collapsed in the ring during a bout against Ghanaian opponent Jon Mbanugu on March 29 at the Trust Sports Emporium Arena in Accra. He was later pronounced dead at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
His death sparked widespread grief across Nigeria’s boxing community and raised serious concerns about safety protocols in Ghanaian boxing. Investigations into the incident later revealed regulatory lapses by the Ghana Boxing Authority, prompting calls for stricter oversight.
