Campus News

Egbewole mourns Jibril Aminu, ex-Education Minister

By Abubakar Imam

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has joined other Nigerians in mourning the passing of a one-time Minister of Education, Prof. Jibril Aminu. Prof. Aminu died penultimate Thursday (June 5, 2025) and has since been buried in accordance to Muslim rites in his hometown in Adamawa State.

In a statement signed by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Vice Chancellor described the death of the former Minister as the end of a remarkable era in the public service.

Prof. Egbewole recalled the several roles played by Prof. Aminu in national development, particularly in the education sector, recalling that the late Prof. Aminu was the pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) under whose watch the University of Ilorin and five other sister institutions were established in 1975.

He also said that Prof. Aminu, who later served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, went on to become the Minister of Education and subsequently that of the Petroleum Resources.

Prof. Egbewole equally recalled the services of Prof. Aminu as a Senator of the Federal Republic and as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America during the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Vice Chancellor explained that the life and times of the late elder statesman exemplified uncommon patriotism and profound services, saying that he was a great example of how an academic could truly impact on the greater society.

Prof. Egbewole, who described Prof. Aminu as one of the founders of the University of Ilorin, said that it was unfortunate that he died while the University was preparing to mark its Golden Jubilee anniversary.

The Vice Chancellor, who is the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), commiserated with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu; and the Governor of Adamawa State, Hon. Umaru Fintiri, on the death of Prof. Aminu. He also commiserated with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, on the death of an illustrious alumnus and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Mohammed Laminu Mele, on the demise of a distinguished predecessor.

The multiple award-winning legal luminary also sympathised with Prof. Aminu’s immediate family and the entire people of Adamawa State over the loss of a great son.

Prof. Egbewole prayed to Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late elder statesman and rest his soul in Aljanat Fridaouz as he also prayed to Allah to grant his family and friends the fortitude to bear his death.