Nigeria is in mourning following the passing of former Minister of Education and Petroleum Resources, Professor Jubril Aminu. The elder statesman, who also served as a two-term senator representing Adamawa Central from 2003 to 2011, died Thursday morning in Abuja at the age of 85.
The news of Prof. Aminu’s death was confirmed by Hon. Aloyu Boya Wakili, a member of the House of Representatives representing Fufore/Song Federal Constituency.
“Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihirraji’un, today, we’ve lost a shining light,” Wakili wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of our father figure, uncle, and mentor, who left an indelible mark on our lives. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. May Professor Jubril Aminu’s soul rest in peace.”
He added, “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
A funeral prayer was scheduled to be held at the National Mosque in Abuja on Thursday, with burial to follow in Song, Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Born in August 1939 in Adamawa State, Prof. Aminu was a trailblazer in both academia and public service. He studied medicine at the University of Ibadan in 1965 and later earned a PhD from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London.
His illustrious academic career included serving as a consultant, senior lecturer, and sub-dean at the University of Ibadan, and later as the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979. He also held a visiting professorship at Howard University in Washington D.C.
Prof. Aminu served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri between 1980 and 1985 and remained a Professor of Medicine there until 1995. His academic contributions were recognized with multiple fellowships, including those from the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Royal College of Physicians (London), and the West African College of Physicians.
In government, Aminu held key ministerial roles between 1989 and 1992, serving first as Minister of Education and later as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. From 1999 to 2003, he was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, before transitioning to the Senate.
In 2010, his contributions to national development and traditional institutions were further recognized when he was honored with the chieftaincy title “Bobaselu of The Source” by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
Nigeria remembers Professor Jubril Aminu as a towering figure in medicine, education, diplomacy, and politics, a man whose influence spanned decades and touched countless lives.
