The Nigeria Aquatics Federation has announced the death of its President, Dunkwu Chamberlain, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the age of 54 after a brief illness.
In a statement on Saturday signed by the federation’s Secretary General, Taiwo Oriss, the body said it received the news “in total submission to the will of the Almighty God the Most merciful,” adding that it “regrets to announce the passing of Late Dr Dunkwu Chamberlain, President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation.”
The statement noted that before his death, Chamberlain had sponsored the second edition of the Swim to Future event, which had been scheduled to be held on March 7, 2026.
The federation prayed that “the good God in heaven give his family, the National Assembly, Nigeria Aquatics Federation, the entire sports community of Nigeria and well-wishers the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also expressed shock over the development, describing the death of his Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) as devastating.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker said he was “deeply saddened that Chamberlain died while actively serving his fatherland,” adding that the late official “was not just my Deputy Chief of Staff; he was a dependable and committed ally who served diligently until his last breath.”
Tajudeen recalled that the deceased had been “full of life just a few hours before his passing when he joined me and my colleagues at the breaking of fast on Friday evening,” noting that “this is indeed a moment of grief for me, my colleagues, his family, and the staff in my office as we mourn the death of this wonderful human being. This is one death too many.”
He added that Dr Chamberlain “lived a life of service to humanity and his country,” leaving behind “a legacy of selflessness, dedication, sacrifice, and a sense of responsibility.”
In a personal statement posted on Instagram, the Speaker said the sudden death had left him “heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with this devastating loss.”
Tajudeen added that the sudden nature of the death made it even more painful. “Only a few hours before his passing, he was full of life as he joined me and colleagues at the breaking of fast on Friday evening. That memory now makes this loss even more difficult to comprehend,” he said.
The Speaker noted that the death had left him, members of his office, and the deceased’s family in deep grief, describing it as “one death too many,” while praying that God grants the family the strength to bear the loss.
Dr Chamberlain hailed from the Uteh Okpu community in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State. He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (Legislative) to the Speaker on June 26, 2023, after previously serving as Special Adviser on Members’ Affairs to the Speaker of the 9th Assembly and Chief of Staff to the current Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
