Ex-Finance Minister, Alhaji Abubakar buried in Sokoto
Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, Former Nigerian Finance Minister, Laid to Rest
The remains of Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, former Minister of Finance of Nigeria, were interred on Thursday at the Hubbare royal cemetery in Sokoto. Alhaji held the traditional title of Sardaunan Sokoto.
His burial followed Islamic rites and included a funeral prayer led by Sheikh Bello-Akwara, the Chief Imam of the Sultan Bello Juma’at Mosque.
Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the ceremony on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. He was joined by several senior officials, including Minister of Labour and Employment Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Sen. Atiku Bagudu. Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idris Gobir.
Notable attendees included the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and Speaker of the state House of Assembly Tukur Bala Bodinga, among other dignitaries.
Following the funeral, Shettima visited the Sultan and other family members to extend condolences. He prayed for the soul of the deceased and offered comfort to Alhaji’s family.
According to reports from DAILY POST, Alhaji passed away on Thursday at Nizamiye Hospital in Abuja, concluding a distinguished public service career that spanned several decades.
Alhaji served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance from 1985 to 1986, a pivotal time in the nation’s history. He had previously held the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation and served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Before entering politics, Alhaji had an extensive career in the federal civil service, where he rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary. He was widely acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s leading technocrats, significantly impacting national economic management.
The late Sardaunan Sokoto played a vital role in shaping economic policies and managing relationships with international financial institutions during a challenging era in Nigeria’s economic landscape, leaving a lasting legacy in public administration.
