The passing of Jibril Aminu on Thursday, June 5, marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in Nigeria’s history. A former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, President of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor of Medicine at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria—Aminu embodied intellectual brilliance and national service. With his death, Nigeria has lost one of its most principled and liberal minds. Personally, I lost not just a friend but a confidant who enriched my life with insight and honesty.
A Trusted Advisor and Voice of Integrity
In the late 1990s, during former Vice President Alex Ekwueme’s pursuit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket, I strongly recommended Jibril Aminu as a running mate. His unmatched intellect and unwavering moral compass made him an ideal choice. Many recognize Aminu for his academic excellence, especially as the best graduating medical student in Ibadan in 1965. However, few know that he also triumphed in a national essay competition typically dominated by arts students—many of whom later became notable scholars in the humanities. Despite holding several high-profile positions, Aminu lived a modest life.
He was an active member of the G-34 group led by Ekwueme, which fiercely opposed General Sani Abacha’s attempt to become a life president. I still remember Aminu seated beside Ekwueme during the All-Politicians Summit at Eko Hotel in Lagos, which was abruptly disrupted by security forces due to their principled stance.
From Mistrust to Admiration
Admittedly, I once harbored strong skepticism toward Aminu. Around 1986 or 1987, David Ogbodo—his then Special Assistant who later became a Group General Manager at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)—invited Okey Ndibe and me to meet Aminu. We were in Orji Uzor Kalu’s office in Apapa, Lagos, when Ogbodo assured us that Aminu would appreciate our intellect. At the time, the media depicted him as a northern extremist—portraying him as a jihadist, a Fulani irredentist, and an opponent of southern progress. Even when Guardian Education Correspondent Goddy Nnadi attempted to dispel these misconceptions, we remained disillusioned.
Eventually, Ogbodo’s persistence persuaded me to meet Aminu. What was scheduled to be a one-hour meeting at his Park View Estate home in Ikoyi, Lagos, extended beyond four hours. We engaged in a wide-ranging conversation, including global affairs. I interrogated him on various controversial topics, all based on my misconceptions. In return, I encountered a man of remarkable brilliance and refreshing honesty.
An Advocate for Reform and Enlightenment
Aminu did not hide his disapproval of the Northern establishment and military rule under Abacha. He spoke out against the socio-political system in the North, which he believed kept millions in poverty and ignorance. He recounted how, despite his academic brilliance, an attempt was made to deny him a scholarship to Barewa College because he lacked powerful connections. Years later, during a visit with former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Gambo Jimeta in Abuja, Aminu continued to condemn the entrenched inequality in the region.
He deeply lamented the anti-polio immunization campaign in the North, led by Dr. Datti Ahmed—his senior at the University of Ibadan—who claimed the vaccine was a Western plot to reduce Muslim populations. Aminu feared that such falsehoods would jeopardize an entire generation of Northern children. Determined to reverse the tide, he asked me to devise a subtle strategy to promote immunization without damaging his standing. After I presented a viable plan, he swiftly approved it. With the support of patriotic professionals like Simon Kolawole—then editor of ThisDay’s Saturday edition—the campaign successfully resumed vaccinations in the Northwest and Northeast. President Olusegun Obasanjo provided full support, ensuring the effort saved countless children from debilitating diseases.
A Champion of Unity and Development
Aminu deeply admired the Yoruba for their commitment to justice and the Igbo of Nnewi for their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community progress. He proudly bore the honorary title “Oyimba Nnewi,” or “Friend of the Nnewi People.” His knowledge of the region’s history, including neighboring towns, was nothing short of astounding. On one occasion, after a discussion on Igbo self-reliance, he jokingly but thoughtfully urged me: “You must help Ebonyi stop being the North of the Southeast!”
His commitment to regional development was unshakable. Although Adamawa State boasted influential sons in key military roles—such as the Chiefs of Air, Army, and Naval Staff—it lagged in development. Aminu expressed frustration that many elites preferred living in Kaduna or Abuja, neglecting their home state. One exception, he noted, was Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako, who established a massive farm in Adamawa. Aminu, too, introduced initiatives that strengthened the state’s economic foundation throughout the 1990s.
Political Engagement and Disappointment
When Aminu told me of his plans to support Nyako’s governorship bid, I endorsed it without hesitation. In 1997, during the conferment of an honorary degree on Professor Bart Nnaji by the Federal University of Yola, we traveled together to Yola. Nyako warmly received us and later showed us his remarkable farm, which left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, after assuming office, Nyako fell into the same pattern as many Nigerian politicians. Aminu expressed deep disappointment when Nyako strayed from the reformist path.
Nyako’s deputy, Bala Ngalari—a brilliant Christian lawyer from Maiduguri—eventually became governor after Nyako’s impeachment. Like many from the Northeast, Ngalari held Aminu in high regard.
In 2007, Aminu’s political fortunes came under threat due to his support for former military president Ibrahim Babangida as a successor to Obasanjo. Vice President Atiku Abubakar, also a Fulani from Adamawa, opposed this move and initiated a recall process against Aminu. In response, Aminu turned to me for a strategy. I recommended seeking judicial redress, suggesting that Olisa Agbakoba—renowned for his legal expertise and political activism—lead the case. Although Agbakoba did not eventually take it on, Aminu’s swift appeal to the judiciary blocked a dangerous precedent. He narrowly avoided becoming the first National Assembly member ever recalled.
Legacy of Service and Humility
Aminu’s career sparkled with accomplishments. As NUC Executive Secretary, he helped establish Nigeria’s second-generation universities—Benin, Port Harcourt, Jos, Calabar, Maiduguri, Kano, and Sokoto. Under his leadership, the NUC expanded from a single-room operation into a formidable national institution. While serving as Minister of Petroleum, he began the genuine indigenization of the sector by awarding marginal field oil licenses to prominent Nigerians like Moshood Abiola, Mike Adenuga, and Arthur Eze. Edoreh Agbah, a retired NNPC General Manager, once captured Aminu’s impact with an emphatic statement: “Before Aminu, there was no Minister of Petroleum, and there has not been since he left office.”
Unlike many public figures, Aminu remained accessible and humble. His closest aide and confidant, David Ogbodo—a lawyer from Enugu State—stood by him until the very end, exemplifying the diverse bonds he built across regional and ethnic lines.
Final Reflections
Jibril Aminu was more than an accomplished public servant. He was a genuine bridge-builder who treated everyone with dignity, regardless of background or status. His intellect, integrity, and passion for national development leave a void that will be hard to fill. As Nigeria mourns a truly exceptional patriot, I take solace in the memories we shared and the wisdom he imparted.
May the Almighty grant him eternal rest and mercy.
