Tinubu, Shettima mourn Prof Aminu, say he was a towering figure in Nigeria’s intellectual, public service landscape
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Federal Government has deeply mourned the passing of Professor Jubril Aminu, a former Minister of Education from 1985 to 1989, who died at the age of 85, after a prolonged illness.
Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa who expressed grieve for the Ministry in a statement in Abuja, said the late Prof. Aminu Jubril was a towering figure in Nigeria’s intellectual and public service landscape.
Part of the statement read: “A celebrated medical scholar, he graduated as the best student from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in 1965, and went on to earn a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, in 1972.
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“Throughout his distinguished public service career, Professor Jubril served Nigeria with honour and distinction. He held several key national roles, including Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992), Ambassador to the United States of America (1999–2003), Senator representing Adamawa Central (2003–2011), and Delegate to the National Constitutional Conference (1994–1995), contributing significantly to nation-building across various sectors.
“As Minister of Education, he championed impactful reforms and policies that laid a strong foundation for inclusive and forward-looking educational development in Nigeria. His legacy of scholarship, visionary leadership, and unwavering service to the nation remains a beacon of inspiration within the education sector and beyond.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, on behalf of the entire Ministry, extends sincere condolences to the family of Professor Jubril, the government and people of Adamawa State, and all Nigerians.
“We pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for comfort to all who mourn this irreplaceable loss,” it stated.
In his tribute to the late senator, President Bola Tinubu, stated; “I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Professor Jibril Muhammad Aminu, a respected academic and political leader who passed away at the age of 85.
“Professor Aminu was a professor of cardiology and one of Nigeria’s most decorated medical professionals.
“He straddled his profession and politics exceptionally, bringing erudition and brilliance to statecraft.
“In his professional life, he earned many laurels for his grit, hard work and expertise. He was a fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science; a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London; a fellow of the West African College of Physicians, and a fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.
In a similar note of grief, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima described Aminu’s demise as a great loss to the nation, adding that the late surgeon, educationist and administrator was a man who saw it all.
“It is a very sad loss. Prof. Jubril Aminu was the last of the great titans, an iconic figure who enormously contributed to the development of the nation.
“He was variously the Executive Secretary of NUC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Honourable Minister of various ministries across the country and left his landmarks on the sands of time.
“He is irreplaceable. May Allah grant him Aljanatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. His loss is not just to the good people of Adamawa State but to the nation and Africa at large,” the vice-president prayed.
Aminu, a one-time President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (OPEC), passed on in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
