Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Planning, Abubakar Alhaji, the Sardauna of Sokoto, has died at the age of 91 after a brief illness.
The elder statesman reportedly passed away on Wednesday at the Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, bringing to an end a distinguished career in Nigeria’s public service that spanned several decades.
Family sources said funeral prayers would be held on Thursday in Abuja before his remains are taken to Sokoto for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Alhaji served as Minister of National Planning and later Minister of Finance during the administration of former military President Ibrahim Babangida. Before his ministerial appointments, he built an illustrious career in the federal civil service, rising to the rank of Permanent Secretary and serving in key ministries, including Trade, Finance and National Planning.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost technocrats, he played a significant role in shaping the country’s economic policies and managing relations with international financial institutions during a challenging period in Nigeria’s economic history.
In recognition of his contributions to public service and the Sokoto Caliphate, he was conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Sardauna of Sokoto in 1990, succeeding the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of the defunct Northern Region, who held the title until his assassination in 1966.
Tributes have begun pouring in from political leaders, traditional institutions and associates, who described the late statesman as a disciplined administrator, accomplished economist and patriotic Nigerian whose legacy of integrity and service will continue to inspire future generations.
