Professor Jibril Aminu Dies at 85
Professor Jibril Aminu, a former Nigerian senator, diplomat, and renowned medical scholar, has died at the age of 85.
According to a report by DW, Prof. Aminu passed away in Abuja today, Thursday, after a prolonged illness.
A trained cardiologist, Prof. Aminu earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965, where he was celebrated as the best graduating medical student at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. He later obtained a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London in 1972.
He served the country in various distinguished capacities — as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States (1999–2003), as Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011), and earlier as Federal Minister of Education and later as Federal Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992).
While serving as Petroleum Minister, he was President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization in 1991 and President of the OPEC Conference between 1991 and 1992. He was also a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995.
Paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Senator Shehu Sani described his passing as a national loss.
In a condolence message, Sani wrote:
“I received the sad news of the death of Professor Jibril Aminu, former Vice Chancellor, Minister of Education, and later Minister of Petroleum. He was also the former Senator who represented Adamawa. As Petroleum Minister, he constructed the Eleme Refinery and petroleum depots across the country. Since he left, none has been added to date. He decentralised and reformed the NNPC. He implemented wide-ranging reforms as Education Minister. Professor Jibril was the best medical student at UCH Ibadan in the ’60s. The nation has lost one of its greatest intellectuals and visionaries. May his soul rest in Aljanna Firdausi. Amin.”
Professor Aminu is survived by two wives and nine children. His funeral is expected to take place in his hometown of Song, Adamawa State.
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