Former Governor of the old Gongola State, former Minister of Industries and ex-National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Dr Bamanga Mahmud Tukur, has died at the age of 90.
Tukur’s death was announced on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Abuja.
The elder statesman, politician, businessman and administrator was born on September 15, 1935, in present-day Adamawa State.
He was widely recognised for his contributions to Nigeria’s political, economic and administrative development spanning more than six decades.
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Tukur served as General Manager and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 1975 to 1982, where he was involved in the management of port operations, including efforts to address congestion and modernise the nation’s seaports.
He later became Governor of the old Gongola State during the Second Republic in 1982.
His tenure was cut short by the military coup of December 1983.
Tukur subsequently served as Minister of Industries under the military administration of General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1995.
Beyond government, Tukur was also involved in business and continental economic leadership.
He was the founder of BHI Holdings, also known as Daddo Group, and was associated with the Africa Business Roundtable, where he served as founder, past president and Life Patron.
He was also elected Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group in March 2002.
In the international maritime sector, Tukur became the first African Vice President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH).
He returned to the political arena at the national level when he was elected National Chairman of the PDP in March 2012, a position he held until 2014.
Tukur obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in the United States and was also awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Honoris Causa) by Benue State University, Makurdi.
He was a holder of the traditional titles Tafidan Adamawa and Wakilin Ganye in Adamawa State.
Tukur was also regarded as the patriarch of the influential Bamanga family and remained a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and socio-economic circles.
His death comes shortly before his 91st birthday, which would have been marked on September 15.
