JUST IN: Ex-Education minister, Jubril Aminu, is dead

Nigeria has lost one of its distinguished statesmen and scholars, Professor Jibril Aminu, a former Minister of Education and Petroleum.

He passed away at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness in Abuja.

Aminu, a respected diplomat and eminent medical scholar, served the country in various capacities, leaving an indelible mark in both the academic and political spheres. He was widely regarded for his intellect, leadership, and dedication to national service.

A family source confirmed his passing on Thursday, noting that his funeral prayer (Janazah) will take place at 2:00 p.m. today at the Abuja National Mosque.

Subsequently, his remains would be flown to Yola and later to Song local government area, Adamawa State, for burial.

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 Minister of Education and later as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992).

While serving as Petroleum Minister, he was President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation 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.