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.
Alhaji served as Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988 before becoming Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 during the administration of former military President General Ibrahim Babangida.
He later served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom between 1992 and 1996, where he played a key role in strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.
A distinguished career civil servant, Alhaji rose to the position of Permanent Secretary, serving in the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Industries and National Planning.
He also held the revered traditional title of Sardaunan Sokoto, having been turbaned in 1990 as successor to the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. In the role, he served as a link between government, the traditional institution and the people.
The family said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course in line with Islamic rites.
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