Professor Jibril Aminu, a former Minister of Petroleum and Education, and one of Nigeria’s most accomplished scholars and statesmen, has died at the age of 85.
His death was confirmed on Wednesday by Hon. Abdullahi Prambe, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Adamawa State.
A towering figure in Nigeria’s public service, academia, and diplomacy, Professor Aminu’s passing marks the end of an era for a man whose career spanned medicine, education, politics, and international relations. He had celebrated his 85th birthday on August 25, 2024.
The news of his death was first announced in a Facebook post by former senator and human rights advocate, Shehu Sani, who praised the late professor’s contributions to national development.
“He constructed the Eleme Refinery and most of the petroleum depots in the country when he was the Petroleum Minister,” Sani wrote. “He decentralised and reformed the NNPC. Since he left office, none has been added.”
Sani also recalled Aminu’s achievements as Minister of Education, during which he established the Nomadic Education Commission and the School for Gifted Children, among other far-reaching reforms. “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,” Sani noted. “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.”
Born in 1939 in Song, Adamawa State, Professor Aminu’s distinguished career began in medicine, where he trained as a Consultant Cardiologist. He was regarded as a pioneer in his field and an intellectual force who used his medical expertise as a foundation for national service.
He later transitioned into public administration and diplomacy, holding several top-level positions, including Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Education. He also served two terms in the Nigerian Senate, representing Adamawa Central.
As Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, and later as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Aminu played a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s higher education landscape. His leadership was widely credited with raising standards and expanding access to education in underserved regions.
Reacting to the news, Hon. Prambe described the deceased as “a mentor and a guiding light for both Adamawa and Nigeria.” He added, “His contributions to education, healthcare, and governance will remain etched in our history.”
Chioma Kalu
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