By Godknows Boladei Igali
Prologue
As Nigerians joined the global community for celebration of one of Islam’s most treasured festivals Eid Al-Adha (feast of rams), denoting God’s great benevolence, the country was awakened to the realism of counting very priceless losses of two of its very bests. In rather ominous sequence, outstanding medical doctor and Professor, Jibril Aminu departed on 5 June, 2025, followed like a rehearsed relay by former Chief Justice of the Federation, Mohammed Uwais whose death occurred on 6th June, 2025. Both men were at death, 85 years and 88 years respectively. Though this is well above the known life expectancy of 53.6 years for men in Nigeria, the great feeling of shock and loss, reverberated across the country.
Why such rivers of tears for relatively elderly men? It is because they both epitomized some of the highest virtues of excellence in public service, personal living and clarity of conscience. Beyond that, they were both pioneers of sorts as they were amongst those who blazed the trail in the pursuit of Western education in the northern part of Nigeria, especially in what is considered as vaunted professions. Late Professor Aminu is amongst the pioneering corps of medical doctors and academics from the North East part of Nigeria.
Expectedly, for such calibre of persons, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and virtually every other leader of the country at different levels took turn to eulogize them for the distinction with which they lived their lives and above all their pious devotion to faith.
In Nigeria’s variegated blend of cultural and religious heritage, both men were promptly laid to rest upon their passage according to Islamic rites. This is an interesting departure from what predominates for persons of other faiths where “final rest” and the last rites that come with it are often left at the will of surviving relatives. There was however an exception as ace playwright and scholar, Professor JP Clark willed a near impossible imposition of only three day window for his burial; which unfortunately occurred in October 2020 during movement restrictions at the height of the ENDSARS riots. Gladly, his strangely wish was somehow achieved in what appeared like an act of God.
In the shared history of national service, both men left large imprints in their individual professions.
A FEW WORDS ON THE ZARIA MAN OF LAWS
Return to the Zaria base: A City of Rich History
Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais was for many years, a towering figure in Nigeria’s legal practice, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s judiciary, jurisprudence and even body politics. Indeed, he was the longest serving Chief Justice of the Federation (1995-2006).
Born on June 12, 1936, in Zaria, in the present day Kaduna State, Justice Uwais’ hometown, Zaria, and the adjoining city of Kaduna, capital of Kaduna State, the political headquarters of northern region of Nigeria have a rich history dating back to the 15th century. According to historians, Zaria was founded by people of Hausa ethnic stock and later became a centre of Islamic scholarship, inter-ethnic intersection and commerce in the region. Zaria’s equidistance and strategic location made it an important hub for trade and cultural exchange between the Hausa kingdoms and the peoples of other parts of West Africa.
Better known by its original Hausa name of Zazzau, the town grew to become a kingdom and for the past 150 years, became known as the Zaria Emirate. To adumbrate its cosmopolitan nature, the town which was amongst the seven “original” Hausa states was ruled during mid-15th century by one of Africa’s most outstanding female potentates, Queen Amina who is recorded to have expanded its reach to virtually all parts of Northern Nigeria with an army of about 20,000-foot soldiers and 10,000 on horses and camels. According to Matthew Crowther, a famed British historian, the role of Queen Amina in Nigeria’s histography started to set the tone for the centralisation of female protagonism in the future Nigerian state.
Later in its history, Zaria became the epicentre for the development of Islamic culture and scholarship when it was captured in 1808 by the Fulani jihadists led by Usman Dan Fodio.
In the course of time, the British colonial government founded the administrative town of Kaduna within the Zazzau Emirate in 1900 and by 1917, it had become the capital of Northern Nigeria. Kaduna also became the headquarters of several strategic academic and military establishments. These include Barewa College, the Ivy league secondary school established in 1921 which has produced several leaders of Nigeria and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Other institutions include Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria Military College, Zaria, Command and Staff College, Jaji, and Nigerian Army Defence Industries Corporation (DICON), etc.
Education and Career Pursuit
The rich cultural and socio-political ambience of Zaria laid the foundation for Justice Uwais’ later development in life. He attended the famous Barewa College, setting a cue for his future career path and later studied law at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University. Ultimately, he proceeded to the University of London and underwent his Bar in the UK and later, was amongst the pioneering class of the Nigerian Law School students in 1963.
Returning home shortly afterward, he began his journey in national service as a State Counsel in North Central State before becoming Solicitor-General of the same State in 1971. Thereafter, he became a Judge and rose to the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal in 1976. In 1979, he was appointed a Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court under the then Chief Justice Atanda Fatai Williams. This marked the beginning of a distinguished career at the apex court that spanned over three decades.
Ultimately, he served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006, playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the judiciary during a critical period in Nigeria’s history. His tenure saw significant reforms, including the establishment of the National Judicial Council in compliance with Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, which maintains judicial independence and integrity till date.
It is easily recounted that Justice Uwais’ commitment to judicial excellence earned him widespread respect and acclaim. In particular, he was instrumental in shaping the Nigerian judicial landscape, introducing new court sitting arrangements and strengthening public confidence in the justice system. His personal conduct and moral standing are etched in one of his most quoted words; “a corrupt judge is more harmful to society than a man who run amok with a dagger”. The wide applause surrounding his career was exemplified in the manner with which the judiciary creditably discharged the post-electoral legal disputes of the 1998 Presidential elections.
Also of great commendation was his leadership during the transition to democracy in 1999. Coming from many years of military rule, when he mounted the saddle, to swearing in President Olusegun Obasanjo, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s political history.
Other National Assignments
Upon his exit as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Uwais continued to contribute to Nigeria’s development in various capacities. Of all these, the most outstanding was his chairing the Electoral Reform Committee in 2007 that was set up by the then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The Committee’s report, submitted subsequently in 2008, unfortunately after the demise of Yar’Adua, proposed ground breaking reforms which have played a central role in defining Nigeria’s leadership selection process. Additionally, the Uwais Committee recommend the establishment of separate commissions for electoral offenses, constituency delimitation, and political party registration to reduce INEC’s workload and enhance credibility. The Committee also recommended that the head of INEC be appointed by the judiciary rather than the Executive (i.e. the President) to ensure impartiality.
Regrettably, only few of Justice Uwais’ recommendations have been accepted as some of his lofty ideas were met with resistance at different levels, especially among the political class, Uwais’ efforts have had a lasting impact on Nigeria’s electoral discourse.
THE HEALER FROM GONGOLA PLATEAU
The Starting Point
Professor Jibril Aminu was one of Nigeria’s most visible medical professionals turned academics, politicians and statesmen. Born on August 25, 1939, to parents of Fulani origin in Song town, which is today a local government headquarters in Adamawa State. At the time of his birth, his community was part of Adamawa Province, then held in trust for the United Nations under Northern Cameroon as Administrative post. Although he came from a very close cluster of Fuble people, most of whom are nomadic Muslims, Aminu as a child had a great inkling for western education and excelled with unusual brilliance. He, therefore, quickly enrolled in the Song Native Primary School which was established by the colonial government and on his outstanding performance, was sent further to Yola Middle School. The Yola Middle School itself was established as far back as 1943 to provide higher primary education to most of the growing youth from all parts of the North East. Hence, the school produced such famous personalities as Dr. Bamanga Tukur, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Admiral Muritala Nyako, Amb. Hassan Adamawa, amongst others. From there, he also proceeded to Barewa College, where he was a class mate of former Nigerian Head of State, General Murtala Muhammad and Justice Uwais.
Still in pursuit of knowledge, he further attended the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan which was established in 1952, even though the main university, the first of its kind in Nigeria was opened in 1948. In 1965, he completed his medical studies when he earned his medical degree and later obtained a Ph.D. in medicine from the prestigious Royal Post-Graduate Medical School in London in 1973; an institution that was granted Royal Charter as far back as 1935 to provide apex tertiary medical education and certification in the entire Commonwealth.
Professional Life
Although a trained medical practitioner, Prof. Aminu’s impact was in academia with appointments at several prestigious institutions, including his alma mater, the University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University. He served as a professor of medicine and cardiology, sharing his expertise with generations of students and medical professionals. In particular, his research focused on cardiovascular diseases which helped shaped Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. Known to just few, cardiovascular diseases are major killers in Nigeria. According to available data, between 2018-2021, about 30% of persons who died in the country were attributable to such lifestyle related diseases. He eventually was appointed the pioneer Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (1975-1979). Later, he became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri from 1980 to 1985.
Like many prominent Nigerian scholars, his entry into politics began with his appointment as Minister of Education and later Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources spanning the period, 1989 to 1992. While in the oil and gas sector, he chaired both the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’s Conference of Ministers.
In his unending service to Nigeria, on the country’s return to democracy during the fourth republic, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America from 1999 to 2003. On his return from diplomatic assignment in Washington DC, he was conscripted to elective office to represent Adamawa Central in the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2011.
Straddling Legacies of previous school mates
For a start, Justice Uwais’ legacy is distinctive and multifaceted. Majorly, he was known for upholding the highest standards of integrity and impartiality, inspiring generations of judges and lawyers. As the Nigerian nation continues to wrestle with the thrust of state building and national integration, the legacy of Chief Justice Uwais, especially in laying down sound precepts of jurisprudence through the landmark cases he presided over, as recently detailed by former Vice President and law teacher, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is a reminder of his efforts towards judicial independence, integrity, and comprehensive reforms in such processes.
Additionally, he is attributed with contributing significantly to Nigeria’s democratic growth, particularly through his leadership in electoral reforms.
Few Points of Controversies
Despite their easily flaunted record of integrity and contributions to state building, both men have a fair share of controversies. For Justice Uwais, his long tenure as Chief Justice was not without perceived faults and doubts. Some critics argue that a number of judgments during his tenure were weighted as favouring the ruling government at the time, sparking concerns about judicial independence. Some others argue that his suggested electoral reforms which he recommended, along with members of his committee, did not go far enough in addressing Nigeria’s electoral challenges and that more comprehensive reforms were still needed.
Similarly, for his counterpart, Prof. Aminu, despite his record of high profile national service, to some, his involvement with succeeding series of military governments and suppression of student activism during his tenure in the Ministry of Education raises concerns about his commitment to democratic principles and respect for human rights. As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, he was noted for rusticating several student leaders for activism, sparking controversy and a court case that spanned many years.
However, these constricted views about both men are easily vitiated by the fact that, for example, judgements at any level in the judicial process in the case of Uwais are complex and involve meandering through a number of perspectives amidst a rubble of evidences and established legal precedents.
Terse Closing Thoughts
It was America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln who once said “the best way to predict the future in any circumstance is to create it”. This is very emblematic of the nearly overlapping lines of Justice Uwais and Prof. Jibril Aminu. Against the backdrop of the most difficult circumstances of life, they lived to become counted amongst the greatest of men in Nigeria. It was different, but the similar strokes of tough early take off for both of them. It is not much spoken about, but from very young age of 6 years, Justice Uwais became fatherless with the loss of his patriarch, Mallam Abdullahi Uwaisu and was raised by his young mother, Hajara who had to move on to a new home with a new husband. Virtually, at every stage in life, he had to work hard beyond the ordinary in order to attain what he became in life. Several other times, in life, he suffered losses, including having to repeat classes during his primary education, due to no fault of his. He also suffered several reverses as he was denied northern Nigerian government scholarship on at least one occasion before he was able to proceed for further studies. Further down the line, in the course of his career, according to his own testimony, he got to a point of contemplating to resign his appointment due to upward career progression challenges but was prevailed upon by more sagely elders in his legal profession such as Justice Mamman Nasir, who later became the pioneer president of the Nigerian Court of Appeal.
This was no less for Prof. Jibrin Aminu who started life simply as part of a sub-group of Fulani people who were known for their nomadic pastoralism and distinct cultural practices. Yet, he studied hard to be what he became. As once said by Charles Swindon, “life is ten percent what happens but more is 90 percent how you react to it.” Both men therefore reacted to life with unfettered optimism. They always knew that on the horizon of life, something good was going to happen and gratefully the tide always turns in difficult situation around him. They knew that every cloud in life, has a silver lining and the challenges which they met in life were obviously half full cup which did not stop them from rising to the top of their chosen career and profession.
Speaking about faith in God, both Justice Uwais and Prof. Aminu are men of deep faith. As a matter of fact, their strong reliance on faith appears to have been one of the major anchors that brought them to whatever they were in life. No less was their love for nation within the limits which are possible as any other human being.
As the curtain of life has drawn on both men, it remains for Nigerians to imbibe the legacies they left behind for present and future generations.
Adieu great men of Nigeria.
Ambassador Igali, PhD, OON, is a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and author of the 2015 Sterling Prize Award winning book for literary excellence, “Perspectives on Nation, State Formation in Contemporary Africa”
