ABUJA — Former Minister of Education and Petroleum Resources, Professor Jibril Aminu, has passed away at the age of 85. The respected academic, diplomat, and politician died in Abuja on Thursday following a prolonged illness.
Funeral prayers are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. today at the National Mosque in Abuja. His remains will be transported to Yola and onward to his hometown in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State for burial.
A renowned medical scholar, Prof. Aminu graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1965 as the best student at University College Hospital (UCH). He later earned a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, in 1972.
Prof. Aminu held several key positions throughout his distinguished career. He served as Minister of Education and later as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1989 to 1992. He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States between 1999 and 2003, and subsequently represented Adamawa Central in the Senate from 2003 to 2011. He was also a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference in 1994–1995.
While serving as Petroleum Minister, he was elected President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation in 1991 and chaired the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992.
Professor Aminu is remembered for his remarkable contributions to public service, medicine, diplomacy, and national development.
