Professor Jibril Aminu, a distinguished diplomat, statesman, and renowned medical scholar, has passed away at the age of 85.

A family source confirmed that the former Minister of Education and Petroleum passed away on Thursday in Abuja after a prolonged illness.

Following the funeral prayer, his remains will be flown to Yola and later to Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State for final interment.

Prof. Aminu was a respected cardiologist who earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965, graduating as the best student from University College Hospital (UCH). He went on to obtain a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London in 1972.

He served Nigeria in several high-profile capacities, including as Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1989 to 1992.

He was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003 and served as Senator representing Adamawa Central between 2003 and 2011.