President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to one of Nigeria’s most distinguished statesmen, Professor Jerry Gana, as he celebrates his 80th birthday on November 30, 2025.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu recognized Professor Gana’s decades of active service in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, describing him as a beacon of excellence, integrity, and patriotic dedication.
Born on November 30, 1945, at Busu near Bida in Niger State, Professor Gana’s academic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1970 with a B.A. (Honours) degree in Geography and proceeded to the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, where he obtained his Ph.D. in Market Place Systems and Rural Development in 1974.
His academic career flourished at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he taught from 1974 to 1986, rising to the post of Professor in 1985. Beyond his primary academic appointment, Professor Gana served as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos until 2017, demonstrating his continued commitment to educational development.
The distinguished scholar holds numerous prestigious fellowships, including Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society, Fellow of the Nigerian Geography Association, Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He has been honored with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and holds the traditional title of Hasken Nupe of Nupe Land.
Professor Gana’s political journey spans multiple decades and administrations. He was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1983, serving briefly until the military coup that brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
His most transformative role came when he was appointed chairman of Mass Mobilisation for Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) under General Ibrahim Babangida’s government. This grassroots mobilization program became synonymous with Professor Gana’s name, as he crisscrossed the nation preaching self-reliance, social justice, and economic recovery with unmatched enthusiasm and eloquence.
Professor Gana’s expertise has been tapped by successive Nigerian governments. His ministerial appointments include serving as Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the Interim National Government under Chief Ernest Shonekan, Minister of Information and Culture under General Sani Abacha, and multiple appointments under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In June 2001, President Obasanjo appointed Gana Minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, and in February 2001, he became Minister of Information. He also served as Political Adviser to President Obasanjo, demonstrating the high level of trust placed in his counsel and judgment.
Professor Gana was the founding national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998, playing a crucial role in establishing what would become Nigeria’s dominant political party for nearly two decades. He also served as secretary of the PDP Board of Trustees, cementing his position as a party elder and strategic thinker.
His commitment to democratic ideals led him to contest for the presidency multiple times, including on the Social Democratic Party platform in 1992 and announcing his intention to run in 2007 after resigning as special advisor to President Obasanjo. In 2018, Gana announced he would be running as a Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for president in the 2019 Elections.
Professor Gana served as a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, where his contributions to discussions on Nigeria’s unity, restructuring, and development were widely acknowledged. His reputation for advocating equity, fairness, and justice across all regions has made him a respected voice in Nigeria’s often contentious political discourse.
The peculiarity of his politics of integrity, combined with equity, fairness and justice has made him a rallying point for excellence in visionary leadership. Throughout his career, Professor Gana has championed the cause of raising credible young leaders across Nigeria’s diverse regions and cultures.
In his birthday message, President Tinubu described Professor Gana as a fine gentleman, prolific communicator, mass mobilizer, and passionate patriot blessed with exceptional oratory skills. The President particularly recalled the celebrant’s pioneering mass mobilization and sensitization efforts aimed at fostering unity, peace, and national development during the MAMSER years.
President Tinubu commended Professor Gana’s unwavering contributions to advancing Nigeria’s core values and ideals, noting that his service to the nation has been characterized by humility, distinction, and an unshakeable commitment to national progress.
Beyond politics and academia, Professor Gana serves as National Patron of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria and Patron of the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship, reflecting his deep commitment to youth development and Christian values. His life of service extends to community development initiatives and mentorship programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders.
As Professor Jerry Gana marks eight decades of impactful living, President Tinubu prayed that Almighty God would grant him many more years of good health, mental clarity, and continued service to the nation he has served so faithfully.
The statement, dated December 1, 2025, emphasized the administration’s recognition of elder statesmen whose contributions have shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey and national consciousness.
Professor Gana’s 80th birthday celebration serves as a reminder of the caliber of selfless leaders who have dedicated their lives to Nigeria’s progress, transcending ethnic, religious, and political divides in pursuit of a united and prosperous nation.
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