ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Professor Jubril Aminu, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and Education, has passed away.
He died in Abuja at the age of 85, just hours before the Eid-ul-Adha celebration.
The late statesman, who was once rumoured to have died in December 2021, actually died on Thursday, June 5, 2025, while preparing for the Muslim festival.
According to a family source, preparations were already underway at his residence for the festivities: “Eid-ul-Adha rams already tied down at his residence before the unfortunate incident”, signifying his devotion as a devout Muslim.
His passing was officially confirmed by a member of the House of Representatives representing the Fufore/Song Federal Constituency, Hon. Aloyu Boya Wakili, in a Facebook post.
“Innalillahi Wa Innah Ilaihirraji’un, today, we’ve lost a shining light. I’m deeply saddened by the passing of our father figure, uncle, and our mentor who left an indelible mark on our lives, his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched.
“May Professor Jibril Aminu’s soul rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Wakili wrote.
Funeral prayers for the late professor are scheduled to hold on Thursday at the National Mosque in Abuja, which coincides with the Islamic Day of Arafat.
He will then be buried in his hometown, Song, in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
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Born in August 1939 in Adamawa State, Prof. Aminu had a distinguished academic and political career.
He earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965 and later obtained a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School in the UK.
In 1972, he was appointed a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Science.
He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, and the West African College of Physicians in 1980.
In 2004, he was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.
From 1973 to 1975, he served as a consultant, senior lecturer, and Sub-Dean of Clinical Studies at the University of Ibadan Medical School.
He was the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979 and served as a visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington D.C. between 1979 and 1980.
He later became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985 and continued as a Professor of Medicine there until 1995.
In public service, he was Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources between 1989 and 1992.
He also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003. Prof. Aminu was elected Senator representing Adamawa Central in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007.
In recognition of his cultural contributions, on January 2, 2010, he was installed as the “Bobaselu of The Source” by the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.