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Ex-Nigerian Ambassador, Debo Adesina in Coma as Wife Appeals to President Bola Tinubu for Urgent Financial Assistance
Ex-Nigerian Ambassador, Debo Adesina in Coma as Wife Appeals to President Bola Tinubu for Urgent Financial Assistance
The wife of former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo and ex-Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Adebowale “Debo” Adesina, Oluyemisi Debo-Adesina, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu for urgent financial assistance as her husband battles a serious medical condition in a Canadian hospital.
Mrs Debo-Adesina made the appeal in a letter dated Sunday and titled, “Urgent Appeal for Support for H.E Adebowale (Debo) Adesina, Former Nigerian Ambassador To Togo,” addressed personally to President Tinubu.
According to the former envoy’s wife, Adesina suffered a stroke on July 9, 2026, barely 15 days after arriving in Canada to visit her and their children. The medical emergency subsequently resulted in a prolonged hospitalisation and intensive treatment.
She disclosed that Adesina was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Trillium Hospital, Mississauga, where he remained from July 9 until August 11. He was subsequently transferred to Etobicoke General Hospital, where he has continued to receive medical attention.
Despite the severity of his condition, Mrs Debo-Adesina said there had been some encouraging signs following the former diplomat’s prolonged period in an induced coma.
She stated, “By the grace of God, and following a prolonged period in an induced coma, Debo is gradually beginning to emerge from the coma.”
However, she stressed that the veteran journalist’s condition remained critical and required continued specialist care, close monitoring and intensive medical attention.
“His condition, however, remains very serious, and he continues to require intensive medical attention, monitoring and care. We remain hopeful and prayerful for his full recovery.”
The prolonged hospitalisation has also placed a substantial financial strain on the family, with medical bills reportedly exceeding CAD $205,000 as of August 24, 2026.
Mrs Debo-Adesina said the amount continues to rise daily as her husband remains under medical care.
“This prolonged hospitalization has placed an enormous and rapidly increasing financial burden on our family. As of the 24th of August 2026, the outstanding medical bills had exceeded CAD $205,000, and the expenses continue to accumulate every day,” she said.
The situation, she added, has become increasingly urgent after the family was informed that the hospital had raised concerns about the continuation of Adesina’s treatment if arrangements were not made to address the outstanding medical expenses.
“The situation has become even more distressing as we have been informed that the hospital has raised concerns about the continuation of his care unless arrangements are made towards the outstanding medical expenses,” she said.
Against this backdrop, Mrs Debo-Adesina appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene financially and help the family settle the mounting medical bills while ensuring that her husband receives uninterrupted treatment.
She described the period as a “deeply painful” and “vulnerable moment” for the family and appealed to the President to stand by the former ambassador during his health crisis.
“It is against this deeply painful background that I am reaching out personally to you, Mr President, because you know Debo in different capacities-as a journalist and Editor-in-Chief, a public intellectual, a diplomat, an aburo, and as someone with whom you have shared a relationship over the years,” she said.
Mrs Debo-Adesina explained that any financial intervention from the President would provide significant relief to the family and help secure the continued medical treatment required for the former ambassador’s recovery.
She also invited President Tinubu to contact her directly for details on how assistance could be provided.
“I would be deeply grateful if you could kindly contact me directly for details on how any contribution or assistance may be provided,” she said.
The appeal, she acknowledged, was not an easy one to make, particularly as a wife and mother facing the emotional and financial pressures associated with her husband’s prolonged illness.
“Your Excellency, this is not an easy appeal for me to make. As a wife and mother, I have had to put aside my personal reservations and reach out to the people who have known, worked with, respected and interacted with my husband throughout the different chapters of his life and service.”
She further appealed for support at a time when the former envoy’s continued hospitalisation requires substantial financial resources and every additional day of treatment carries significant costs.
“At a time when every effort counts, every contribution matters, and every day of medical care is precious, I am appealing to you in the hope that your compassion and intervention will help us through this extraordinarily difficult period,” she added.
Mrs Debo-Adesina said the family remained hopeful and continued to trust in God for the former ambassador’s recovery, while appealing for compassion, goodwill and generosity from President Tinubu and others who may be able to assist.
Adesina, a respected journalist, editor and diplomat, served as Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian before his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Togo. His current health crisis has now left his family confronting both the emotional toll of his condition and an escalating financial burden from his treatment in Canada.
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