Former Nigerian Diplomat Abubakar Alhaji Passes Away

Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Abubakar Alhaji, has died.

He passed away on Thursday morning at Alliance Hospital in Abuja. He had been getting treatment for several weeks after being moved from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

Ya’u Dogon-Daji, a relative of Alhaji, confirmed the news to Daily Trust. He said that Alhaji had been ill for almost a month before he died.

Mr Dogon-Daji mentioned that Alhaji was first treated at Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital before being transferred to Alliance Hospital in Abuja, where he eventually died. He confirmed that Alhaji was 94 years old.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral prayer for the late diplomat will take place at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Sokoto at about 4:00 p.m. After the prayer, he will be buried at the royal cemetery, according to Mr Dogon-Daji.

Before his death, Alhaji held the traditional title of Sardaunan Sokoto. This title is historically linked to the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello, who was assassinated in January 1966.

His Career

Alhaji began his career in the Nigerian Civil Service in 1964. He moved up the ranks in the Federal Ministry of Finance, serving in important positions like Principal Assistant Secretary and later as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Trade and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

While at the Finance Ministry, he played an important part in managing Nigeria’s external debt. He was also part of the team that negotiated the Lomé II Convention.

In 1988, the military government led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida appointed him as Minister of State for Budget and Planning. He later served as Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991.

In the mid-1990s, he was appointed as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he represented Nigeria's diplomatic interests in London. Besides his federal roles, he also served as Special Adviser on Economic Affairs to the state governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara.