President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to the late Professor Jibril Muhammad Aminu, describing his passing as “a profound loss to the nation.”

In a statement released by the State House on Thursday, the President extended his condolences to the family, friends, and associates of the distinguished academic and former public officeholder, who died at the age of 85.

“Professor Aminu epitomised statesmanship and was committed to building a greater Nigeria. As we grieve, we must find solace in his legacy. He left remarkable imprints in the sands of time,” the statement read.

The President also commiserated with the government and people of Adamawa State over the loss, praying that “Allah forgives his sins and grants him eternal rest in Aljana Firdaus”.

The Presidency described Aminu, a cardiologist, as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished medical professionals.

Aminu held fellowships from top institutions including the Nigerian Academy of Science, the Royal College of Physicians in London, the West African College of Physicians, and the Nigerian Postgraduate Medical College.

His academic journey was equally remarkable. Between 1973 and 1975, he served as Consultant in Medicine, Senior Lecturer, and Sub-Dean of Clinical Studies at the University of Ibadan Medical School.

He later became Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) from 1975 to 1979. From there, he moved to the United States, where he was a Visiting Professor at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., between 1979 and 1980. He returned to serve as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985.

Professor Aminu’s transition into public service saw him take up major national assignments. He was Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1989 to 1992.

While overseeing Nigeria’s oil sector, he chaired the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation in 1991 and led the OPEC Conference from 1991 to 1992.

He was later elected as a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995.

In 1999, Aminu was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States. He served in that role until 2003, before being elected to represent Adamawa Central in the Nigerian Senate, where he spent two terms from 2003 to 2011.

“Professor Aminu straddled his profession and politics exceptionally, bringing erudition and brilliance to statecraft,” President Tinubu noted in his tribute. “In his professional life, he earned many laurels for his grit, hard work, and expertise.” (Channels TV)