The former Minister of Education and Petroleum Resources, Professor Jibril Aminu has been pronounced dead at the age 85 by medical experts after prolonged ailment in the country.
As gathered, the Adamawa-born academic and People’s Democratic Party member, died few days to the celebration of the Eid- Al-Adha celebration.
The news of his death was first announced in a Facebook post by former senator and human rights advocate, Shehu Sani, who praised the late professor’s contributions to national development.
“He constructed the Eleme Refinery and most of the petroleum depots in the country when he was the Petroleum Minister, He decentralised and reformed the NNPC. Since he left office, none has been added,” Sanni stated.
The deceased Janazah (funeral prayer) is scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. at the National Mosque in Abuja on Thursday.
Afterwards, his body will be transported to Yola and subsequently to Song Local Government Area in Adamawa State for interment.
Aminu, a trained cardiologist, earned his medical degree in 1965 from the University of Ibadan, where he graduated as the top student at the University College Hospital (UCH).
He later pursued a PhD in Medicine at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, completing it in 1972.
Over the years, he held several high-ranking positions in Nigeria’s public service. He served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003 and represented Adamawa Central in the Senate from 2003 to 2011.
Earlier in his career, he was appointed Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources between 1989 and 1992.
During his tenure in the petroleum ministry, he was elected President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation in 1991 and also served as President of the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992.
He participated as a delegate in the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995.
Professor Aminu leaves behind a legacy of excellence in public service, medicine, and diplomacy.
