Ex-Petroleum Minister Jibril Aminu Dies At 85

Thursday June 5, 2025|

Former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Professor Jibril Aminu, has died at the age of 85.

Prof. Aminu, also a former lawmaker, passed away in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

He was a distinguished cardiologist, diplomat, academic, and public servant whose career spanned over five decades.

His funeral prayer was scheduled for at 2:00pm at the Abuja National Mosque on Thursday, June 5. His remains will then be flown to Yola and later to his hometown in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State for burial.

A native of Adamawa State, Prof. Aminu’s journey in public life began with remarkable academic achievements. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965. He graduated as the best student from the University College Hospital and obtained a PhD in Medicine from the prestigious Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London in 1972.

Throughout his illustrious career, Aminu served Nigeria in several high-profile roles. He was, at different times, Minister of Education, Petroleum, and Mineral Resources from 1989 to 1992. During his tenure in the petroleum ministry, he was elected President of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation and chaired the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992.

Professor Aminu served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States in the diplomatic arena between 1999 and 2003.

He later represented Adamawa Central in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2011. He was also a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference in 1994, where he contributed to national policy and reform debates.

Beyond politics and diplomacy, he served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Prof. Jibril Aminu is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.