Prof. Jibril Aminu, a prominent Nigerian scholar, diplomat, and public servant who once served as the country’s Minister of Education and later as Ambassador to the United States, has died.
He was 85.
His death was confirmed by family sources and associates.
Aminu passed away on Thursday in Abuja after a prolonged illness. Funeral prayers are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the National Mosque in Abuja.
A towering figure in Nigerian academia and public life for over five decades, Aminu was widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost intellectuals. Tributes poured in across social media, including from former senator Shehu Sani, who described him as “one of Nigeria’s greatest intellectuals and visionary leaders.”
In government, Aminu held multiple senior positions. He was appointed Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources between 1989 and 1992. During his tenure in the oil sector, he chaired both the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and the OPEC Conference.
Brief profile
Born on August 25, 1939, Aminu trained as a physician, earning an M.B.B.S. from the University of Ibadan in 1965 and a Ph.D. in Medicine from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London in 1972. He became a fellow of several prestigious institutions, including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Royal College of Physicians, and the West African College of Physicians.
- Aminu’s academic career was both distinguished and expansive. He served as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (1975–1979), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (1980–1985), and Visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He was a consultant physician and held several key teaching and administrative roles across Nigerian universities.
- In the diplomatic sphere, Aminu served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003. He later represented Adamawa Central in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2011, where he was an active member of committees on Foreign Affairs, Education, Air Force, and Health.
- Though not known for sponsoring legislation, Aminu was commended for his committee leadership and commitment to education and international diplomacy.
- A lifelong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aminu’s contributions spanned academia, governance, and diplomacy. He was honored in 2010 by the Ooni of Ife with the traditional title “Bobaselu of The Source,” reflecting his standing in both political and cultural spheres.
He is survived by his family, colleagues, and a generation of Nigerian scholars and public servants influenced by his work.
