Tinubu mourns former Gongola governor Bamanga Tukur at 90

Obituaries, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of elder statesman, renowned businessman and former governor of the old Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammad Tukur, who died at the age of 90.

President Tinubu described the passing of Tukur, the Tafidan Adamawa, as the end of a remarkable chapter in Nigeria’s political and economic history.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, the President described Tukur as a towering figure whose distinguished career spanned public administration, governance, industry, politics and pan-African business leadership.

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Born on September 15, 1935, Tukur rose to national prominence as General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, a position he held from 1975 to 1982, where he contributed to the modernisation of port operations and the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

Tinubu also recalled Tukur’s entry into politics during the Second Republic, which culminated in his election as governor of the old Gongola State in 1983. The state was later divided into Adamawa and Taraba states.

Tukur subsequently distinguished himself in the private sector as Chairman of BHI Holdings and the DADDO Group of Companies, conglomerates with interests in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and trading.

He also served as Federal Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.

On the continental stage, Tukur was described as a strong advocate of Africa’s economic development. As Executive President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group, he championed intra-African trade, private sector-led growth and sustainable development.

Tukur also served as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from March 2012 to January 2014.

President Tinubu acknowledged his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development during his tenure as PDP chairman, particularly in promoting party discipline and consensus-building.

“Alhaji Tukur was urbane, generous and deeply rooted in the values of integrity and service that the Adamawa Emirate and the nation hold dear.

“He was a man of big ideas and bold enterprise who believed in Nigeria’s limitless potential. Nigeria will sorely miss his wise counsel and fatherly guidance,” Tinubu said.

The President extended his condolences to the Tukur family, the Fombina Emirate of Adamawa, the Government and people of Adamawa State, as well as the political and business communities in Nigeria and across Africa.

Tinubu also prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Tukur’s shortcomings, grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus and comfort all those mourning his death.