Nigeria Has Lost A Patriot, Global Star” — Shettima Mourns Bamanga Tukur

Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the death of former Governor of old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, as a monumental loss to Nigeria and Africa, saying the country has lost a patriot, global citizen and institution-builder.

According to reports, Shettima made the remarks in a condolence message issued on Sunday following the death of Tukur, who passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 90, just three days before his 91st birthday.

The Vice President said Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, made significant contributions to public administration, politics and business, leaving a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s maritime sector while also promoting African private-sector development internationally.

Shettima said the former governor’s death was not only a loss to Adamawa State and the Fombina Emirate but also to Nigeria and the wider African continent.

“I am deeply grieved by the passing of our father, mentor and one of Nigeria’s greatest institution-builders, Alhaji Dr. Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, CON, the Tafidan Adamawa, who returned to his Creator today, September 12, 2026, at the age of 90, just three days shy of his 91st birthday,” he said.

The Vice President described Tukur’s career as one that spanned three interconnected areas, noting his contributions as a technocrat, statesman and pan-African business leader.

“Alhaji Bamanga Tukur lived a life of impact in three distinct but interlinked worlds — as a technocrat who built Nigeria’s modern maritime infrastructure, as a statesman and politician who governed with vision, and as a pan-African business leader who put Africa’s private sector on the world map,” Shettima said.

He particularly recalled Tukur’s role in addressing the severe congestion that paralysed Nigerian ports during the infamous cement armada crisis of 1975.

According to Shettima, Tukur was appointed to lead the Nigerian Ports Authority at the time and not only helped resolve the congestion but also played a key role in laying the foundation for the expansion and modernisation of Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.

As General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 1975 and 1982, Tukur oversaw the development of the Tin Can Island Port Complex and the modernisation of ports in Apapa, Warri, Calabar, Sapele and Onne.

Shettima said these efforts significantly increased Nigeria’s cargo-handling capacity and helped protect the country’s economy during a critical period.

“That singular intervention saved the Nigerian economy from collapse and created the gateway that still powers our trade today,” he said.

The Vice President also recalled Tukur’s political career, including his tenure as Governor of the old Gongola State, which comprised present-day Adamawa and Taraba states.

Although his administration was cut short following the military intervention of December 1983, Shettima said Tukur left a legacy through his focus on rural development and education.

Tukur later served as Minister of Industries under the administration of the late General Sani Abacha before becoming National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party between 2012 and 2014.

Shettima described his leadership of the PDP as a period in which Tukur prioritised consensus and political stability, despite the challenges surrounding the party at the time.

The Vice President noted that Tukur voluntarily resigned as PDP national chairman in January 2014, describing the decision as evidence of his willingness to place the stability of the party above personal interests.

Beyond Nigerian politics, Shettima highlighted Tukur’s contributions to African economic integration and private-sector development.

He said Tukur, as founder and Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, was among the early advocates of increased intra-African trade and greater private-sector participation in the continent’s development.

According to Shettima, many of the ideas championed by Tukur contributed to the broader push for continental economic integration that eventually found expression in initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“Beyond Nigeria, Baba Tukur was Africa’s pride,” Shettima said, noting that the late elder statesman also served on the Ghana Investors Advisory Council and advised the President of Benin Republic.

He added that Tukur received recognition from Côte d’Ivoire and Togo for his contributions to African development.

Shettima extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, the Adamawa State Government and the people of the state, assuring them that the late elder statesman’s contributions to Nigeria and Africa would not be forgotten.

He prayed for Allah to forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family the strength to bear his loss.