Prof Jibril Aminu, ex-Education Minister and diplomat, passes away at 85
Prof. Jibril Aminu, a distinguished Nigerian academic, diplomat, and statesman who previously held the post of Minister of Education and later served as Ambassador to the United States, has passed away.
He was aged 85.
Family members and associates have confirmed his passing.
Aminu died in Abuja on Thursday following an extended illness. His funeral prayer is planned for 2:00 p.m. at the National Mosque in Abuja.
Recognized as a towering presence in Nigeria’s educational and political sectors for more than 50 years, Aminu earned respect as one of the most notable intellectuals in the nation. Numerous tributes surfaced on social media, including one from former senator Shehu Sani who described him as “one of Nigeria’s greatest intellectuals and visionary leaders.”
Aminu served in various top roles in the Nigerian government. He held the position of Minister of Education and later served as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources between 1989 and 1992. While overseeing the petroleum sector, he also led the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and chaired the OPEC Conference.
Born on August 25, 1939, Aminu was originally trained as a medical doctor. He earned his M.B.B.S. degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965 and later completed a Ph.D. in Medicine at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London in 1972. He became a fellow of respected bodies such as the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Royal College of Physicians, and the West African College of Physicians.
Aminu’s professional journey in the academic world was highly accomplished and far-reaching. He worked as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission from 1975 to 1979, and later as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985. He also taught as a Visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in addition to his duties as a consultant physician and academic leader in various Nigerian universities.
In his diplomatic role, Aminu served as Nigeria’s envoy to the United States between 1999 and 2003. He subsequently became the Senator representing Adamawa Central from 2003 to 2011, during which he was an active participant in committees on Foreign Affairs, Education, Air Force, and Health.
Though he did not sponsor major legislation, Aminu received praise for his leadership within Senate committees and his dedication to education and diplomacy.
As a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu left an impact that cut across academics, politics, and foreign service. In 2010, the Ooni of Ife honored him with the title “Bobaselu of The Source,” a testament to his contributions to both the political and cultural realms.
He is mourned by his family, colleagues, and many Nigerians whose careers and lives were shaped by his legacy.
