27/11/2025
Aminu Saleh, who held the national honours of GCON and CFR, was born on 6 November 1933 and passed away on 22 July 2015. He was one of Nigeria’s most experienced administrators and spent decades serving the nation in important positions. At different moments in his career, he worked as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Head of the Federal Civil Service, Minister of Finance, Minister of Industries and Minister of Defence. His influence extended beyond ministerial duties, as he also served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Communication, Trade and Defence, and earlier as Deputy Permanent Secretary in Finance, Communication and Agriculture. His long journey through public service allowed him to witness and shape several phases of Nigeria’s development.
Saleh was an indigene of Bauchi State and his contributions were felt both at the state and federal levels. He was trusted by different governments, including the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s and the government of General Sani Abacha which began in 1993. His work was not limited to public administration alone. As an entrepreneur, he owned the popular beverages Brahma and Tandi Guarana and held investments in various Nigerian industries. He also played a key role in the creation and management of the Petroleum Trust Fund, and he contributed to national planning as a member of the Vision 2010 Committee. In 2006 he became the chairman of the National Qur’anic Recitation Committee.
Born in Azare in the Katagum area of Bauchi State, Saleh began his education at the elementary school in Azare between 1941 and 1944. He continued at Bauchi Middle School until 1949 and later studied at the Clerical Training College in Zaria from 1950 to 1951. His interest in administration and finance led him back to Zaria in 1956 where he enrolled at the Institute of Administration for a diploma in accounting. Years later, while working, he pursued an evening degree programme at the U
