Aminu Kano
Aminu Kano | |
|---|---|
| President-General of People's Redemption Party | |
| In office 1978–1983 | |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Khalifa Hassan Yusuf |
| Federal Commissioner for Health | |
| In office 13 January 1972 – 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Josiah Okezie |
| Succeeded by | Emmanuel O. Abisoye |
| Federal Commissioner for Communications | |
| In office 12 June 1967 – 13 January 1971 | |
| Preceded by | Raymond Njoku |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Tarka |
| Deputy Government Chief Whip | |
| In office December 1959 – 30 December 1964 | |
| Chief Whip | Bello Dandago |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Member of Parliament for Kano East | |
| In office December 1959 – 30 December 1964 | |
| Preceded by | Maitama Sule |
| Succeeded by | Mahmud Dantata |
| President-General of Northern Elements Progressive Union | |
| In office 1953–1966 | |
| Preceded by | Abba Maikwaru |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohammed Aminu Yusufu 9 August 1920 |
| Died | 17 April 1983 (aged 62) |
| Resting place | Mambayya House 12°0′54.342″N 8°30′20.4912″E / 12.01509500°N 8.505692000°E |
| Party | People's Redemption Party |
| Other political affiliations | |
| Spouses | Umma (m. 1939–1940)Hasia
(m. 1942, divorced)
Zahra
(m. 1967; div. 1970)Asma'u (m. 1970) |
| Relations | Gyanawa (clan) |
| Alma mater | Kaduna College University of London |
| Occupation | Teacher, politician, poet, writer, trade unionist |
Mallam Aminu Kano ⓘGCON (9 August 1920 — 17 April 1983) was a Nigerian politician, teacher, poet, playwright, and trade unionist from Kano. One of the most prominent figures in Nigeria's independence movement and post-independence political history, he was known for his opposition to colonialism, the dominance of traditional rulers, and the social inequalities in Northern Nigeria. He was a founding figure of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) and later led the People's Redemption Party (PRP), both of which were socialist parties which advocated for the emancipation of the talakawa (commoners) in Nigeria.
Aminu began his career as a teacher and emerged as an early critic of the British colonial government, and publicly challenged the native aristocracy, denouncing the colonial system of indirect rule as oppressive and exploitative of the talakawa. In 1948, he founded the Northern Teachers' Association, the first labour union in Northern Nigeria, and became a founding member of the Northern People's Congress (NPC), which he later left due to its coservatism. As leader of NEPU from 1953, he championed democratic socialism, women's rights, and the empowerment of the talakawa, seeking to align Islamic principles with social justice.
He served in the Federal House of Representatives from 1959 and held ministerial appointments during Nigeria's military era, including as a Federal Commissioner under Yakubu Gowon's administration. As a parliamentarian and United Nations delegate, Aminu Kano supported liberation movements in Africa and promoted a non-aligned foreign policy. He later returned to party politics in the Second Republic as the presidential candidate of the PRP.
Widely regarded as a visionary reformer, Aminu Kano left a lasting legacy in Nigerian political thought. Institutions named in his honour include the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and several colleges and research centres. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria and remains a symbol of social justice and grassroots activism.