Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, has died at the age of 87.
Family sources confirmed on Thursday that the elder statesman passed away in Abuja. Funeral arrangements, the family said, will be announced in due course in accordance with Islamic rites.
Alhaji served in several key positions during his distinguished career in public service. He was appointed Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988 before becoming Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 under the administration of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.
He also represented Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom between 1992 and 1996, where he played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
Before his ministerial appointments, Alhaji built a long career in the civil service, rising through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Finance, Trade, Industries and National Planning.
Beyond public service, he was a respected traditional title holder in northern Nigeria. As the Sardaunan Sokoto, one of the highest traditional titles in the Sokoto Caliphate, he served as a bridge between government, the traditional institution and the people.
He was turbaned as Sardaunan Sokoto in 1990, succeeding the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
His death marks the end of a decades-long career spanning the civil service, government, diplomacy and traditional leadership.
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