The National Universities Commission (NUC) has paid tribute to its pioneer Executive Secretary, Professor Jibril Aminu, as he celebrates his 85th birthday.
In a statement released by its Acting Executive Secretary, Chris Maiyaki, the NUC praised Professor Aminu’s extraordinary contributions to Nigeria’s educational and public service sectors. The commission highlighted his instrumental role in the creation of the 6-3-3-4 education system and his significant impact on the establishment of seven additional universities in Nigeria, which continues to shape the nation’s educational landscape.
Professor Aminu’s legacy extends beyond education. As Nigeria’s Minister of Education, he was pivotal in founding the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), initiatives that have had lasting effects on the country’s educational infrastructure.
The statement also emphasized Aminu’s achievements in the petroleum sector during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum Resources, where his leadership led to increased transparency and national revenue. His efforts in expanding the petroleum products pipeline network and creating additional depots across Nigeria were particularly noted.
The NUC’s statement, titled “Celebrating The Remarkable Life of an Icon: Professor Jibril Aminu @85,” reads in part:
“It is with profound gratitude to the Almighty that the Management and Staff of the National Universities Commission, and indeed the entire Nigerian University System, join other Nigerians in celebrating the life of a remarkable icon, Professor Jibril Aminu, a distinguished academic, administrator, and public servant, on his 85th birthday.”
The commission recounted Professor Aminu’s academic journey, from his early years in Song, Adamawa State, where he demonstrated exceptional brilliance, to his distinction-laden West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in 1957, and later, his graduation from the University of Ibadan in 1965.
His career as a Consultant Cardiologist, scholar, and public servant has been marked by excellence and dedication. As the first Executive Secretary of the NUC from 1974 to 1979, Professor Aminu established the foundation for the regulation and orderly development of university education in Nigeria.
After his tenure at the NUC, he returned to academia as a Visiting Professor of Medicine at Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., before serving as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri. There, he implemented a rigorous academic and physical master plan that solidified the university’s reputation for quality education.
As Minister of Education from 1985 to 1989, Professor Aminu strengthened his legacy by equipping the NUC with essential legal and regulatory frameworks, including the introduction of the Minimum Academic Standards (MAS).
In the later years of his public service career, Professor Aminu served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States from 1999 to 2003 and was elected Senator for Adamawa Central in 2003, a position he held until 2007.
Professor Aminu’s influence has been profound and far-reaching, inspiring countless others. The NUC expressed its gratitude for his life of service and commitment to the nation, praying for his continued health and happiness.
“Happy 85th birthday to a stalwart administrator, a mentor, and a true icon. Your legacy is etched in the hearts of all who know you, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with you. May the Almighty continue to bless and protect you.” the statement concluded.
