Former Finance Minister and Sardauna Sokoto, Abubakar Alhaji
An elder statesman, former Minister of Finance, and Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, has died at the age of 88.
A family source confirmed to our correspondent that the respected statesman passed away in Abuja after a brief age-related illness.
The late Alhaji served Nigeria with distinction in several strategic positions. He was Minister of Finance under the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida between 1985 and 1986. He also served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Calm, soft-spoken, yet exceptionally intelligent, Alhaji was widely admired for his intellect, administrative competence, and unwavering commitment to public service. During the peak of his career, he played significant roles in shaping Nigeria’s public administration and economic policy.
Until his death, he held the revered traditional title of Sardaunan Sokoto, a prestigious title once held by the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
As of the time of filing this report, the family had yet to announce the funeral arrangements. However, the family source said details would be made public soon in accordance with Islamic rites.
Born on November 12, 1938, to the family of Muhammed Sani, Alhaji received his early education in Kano before transferring to Government College, Katsina, for his secondary education.
Driven by a passion for learning, he proceeded to Bournemouth College of Commerce and later the University of Reading, Berkshire, where he earned a degree in Political Economy.
He further broadened his academic and professional knowledge through advanced studies at the Hague Institute of Social Studies and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Institute in Washington, D.C.
Some historical accounts state that he came to be known as “Alhaji Alhaji” because he was born on the day of Eid (Sallah) and later performed the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah.
His death marks the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s most accomplished public servants, whose decades of service left an enduring imprint on the nation’s public administration and governance.
