"The Last of The Great Titans": Former Nigerian Minister Jibril Aminu Dies in Abuja

• A former minister of education, Jibril Aminu, died on Thursday, June 5, in Abuja, Legit.ng gathered
• Aminu served as the pioneer executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and is a former vice-chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)
• Professor Aminu also served as the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003 and was elected senator for Adamawa Central constituency in 2003, and re-elected in 2007

Yola, Adamawa state - Professor Jibril Aminu, a former minister of education and petroleum, has died.

As reported by Arise TV News, Professor Aminu's death was confirmed on Thursday, June 5, by Abdullahi Prambe, Adamawa state's commissioner for housing and urban development.

Professor Jibril Aminu's death

Vanguard also noted the sad update in a report on Thursday, June 5.

The news of the 85-year-old ex-public official's death was first announced in a Facebook post by former senator and human rights advocate, Shehu Sani. Sani praised the late professor’s contributions to national development.

He said:

“He constructed the Eleme Refinery and most of the petroleum depots in the country when he was the petroleum minister. He decentralised and reformed the NNPC. Since he left office, none has been added.”

Sani added:

“He served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and headed the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the 1970s. He represented Adamawa in the Senate twice.

“He was the best medical student at the UCH Ibadan in the 60s — a rare feat for a northerner at that time. The nation has lost one of its greatest intellectuals and visionary leaders.”

Tinubu mourns Jibril Aminu

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has condoled the family and friends of the late Professor Aminu.

In a tribute, President Tinubu described the passing of Professor Aminu as a profound loss to Nigeria, adding that he left remarkable imprints in the sands of time.

Tinubu's statement partly reads:

"I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Professor Jibril Muhammad Aminu, a respected academic and political leader who passed away at the age of 85."

Jibril Aminu's death: Atiku, others mourn

Opposition leader Atiku Abubakar who was at the funeral, said via his verified social media accounts:

"Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

"This afternoon, I joined a congregation of Muslim worshippers at the National Mosque in Abuja to perform funeral prayers (Jana'iza) for Professor Jibril Aminu, who passed away in the early hours of today, at the age of 85.

"Professor Jibril Aminu, a visiting Professor of Medicine at the Howard University College Washington between 1979 and 1980, was an academic of great repute.

"He was Senator of Adamawa Central (2003 to 2007) and Minister of Education (1989 to 1990). He was also Minister of Petroleum 1990 to 1992. Before joining the Senate in 2003, Professor Aminu was Nigerian Ambassador to the USA, between 1999 and 2003. His contributions to the field of medicine, academia, and the growth of democracy in Nigeria remain legendary, and his demise a huge loss to humanity.

"May his family and friends be comforted, and his soul be granted Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen."

In the same vein, Vice-President Kashim Shettima wrote on his verified Facebook page:

"Today, I joined other Muslim faithful for the Jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late elder statesman, renowned medical scholar, and former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu, at the National Mosque in Abuja.

"Prof. Aminu, a one-time President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992, passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

"It is a very sad loss. Prof. Jibril Aminu was the last of the great titans—an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation."

Also, ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki extended his condolences to Aminu's family, friends, Adamawa state government, indigenes, and all Nigerians mourning the professor's loss.

Saraki wrote on X:

"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

"The news of Professor Jibril Aminu’s passing came as a rude shock. Professor Aminu was a rare kind of public servant, one who brought excellence and purpose to every role he held. Whether in medicine, education, diplomacy, or governance, he carried himself with dignity and left a mark that would not be easily forgotten.

"My family and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, the government and people of Adamawa, and all Nigerians mourning this loss.

"May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him a place in Aljannah Firdaus."

PDP chieftain murdered in Adamawa

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that authorities in Adamawa state launched a full-scale investigation following the brutal killing of Thomas Godwin, a senior political figure and special adviser to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who was murdered in April.

The 49-year-old was reportedly ambushed and killed by unidentified assailants while returning home to his community in Ka’ala village, Hong local government area.

Source: Legit.ng