Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and the Sardaunan Sokoto, is dead.

Family sources confirmed to THISDAY on Thursday that the elder statesman passed away in Abuja. He was 87 years old.

Alhaji began his public service career as a career civil servant and rose to become Permanent Secretary in the Ministries of Finance, Trade, Industries and National Planning.

He was appointed Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988, and later served as Minister of Finance between 1990 and 1991 under the military administration of *General Ibrahim Babangida.

From 1992 to 1996, he represented Nigeria as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he played a key role in deepening bilateral relations between both countries.

As Sardaunan Sokoto, one of the most revered traditional titles in the Sokoto Caliphate, he was turbaned in 1990, succeeding the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. In that capacity, he served as a bridge between government, the traditional institution, and the people.

The family said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course in accordance with Islamic rites.