PROFESSOR JUBRIL AMINU: A LIFE OF INTELLECTUAL GLORY AND POLITICAL COMPLEXITY
PROFESSOR JUBRIL AMINU: A LIFE OF INTELLECTUAL GLORY AND POLITICAL COMPLEXITY
By Prince Agbedeyi O. D.
For Global Egberi Media International
The Nigerian academic and political landscape has lost one of its most iconic figures—Professor Jubril Aminu, a former Minister of Education and Petroleum, diplomat, senator, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri. He passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 85. His death was confirmed by Abdullahi Adamu Prambe, Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development in Adamawa State.
Academic Excellence and Medical Influence
Born on August 25, 1939, in Song, Adamawa Province during colonial Nigeria, Professor Aminu’s life was marked by brilliance, discipline, and controversy in equal measure.
He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Ibadan in 1965 and earned a PhD in Medicine from the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School in London. He served as Consultant, Senior Lecturer, and Sub-Dean at the University of Ibadan before becoming Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979.
He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (1980–1985) and a visiting professor at Howard University in the U.S. His influence in academia remains unparalleled.
Political Career and National Service
Aminu served as Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources under General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1992). He managed petroleum affairs during Nigeria’s economic reforms.
In 1999, he became Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., and from 2003 to 2011, he was a two-term Senator representing Adamawa Central.
National Honours and Legacy
He received the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2002 and a D.Sc. (Honoris causa) from Ahmadu Bello University in 1988. His mentorship and intellectual legacy continue to inspire many.
Controversial Legacy in Student Rights
As Vice Chancellor, Aminu was involved in the expulsion of over 500 students during unrest at the University of Maiduguri. This led to the famous case Mr. Yesufu Amuda Garba & Others v. University of Maiduguri, where the Supreme Court ruled that only law courts have jurisdiction in criminal matters within universities.
Orji Kalu and the “Ali Must Go” Episode
One of the expelled students was Orji Uzor Kalu, who later became Abia State Governor. He had led protests against the then Minister of Education, Col. Ahmadu Ali. Aminu’s administration offered him reinstatement, which he declined unless all expelled students were reinstated—an offer that was not accepted.
Military Loyalty and the Banning of NANS
In 1986, Aminu was key in the banning of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). His unwavering loyalty to military regimes drew both praise and heavy criticism. He also served under General Sani Abacha as a member of the 1994–1995 National Constitutional Conference.
Final Thoughts
Professor Jubril Aminu’s legacy is complex. A patriot, disciplinarian, and nation-builder, his contributions to medicine, education, and politics are undeniable. Yet, his tenure also left behind a legacy of suppressed student voices and authoritarian tendencies. He leaves behind family, protégés, and a lasting mark on Nigeria’s journey.
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