A Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, is dead. He was aged 81.

According to family sources, he died on Thursday, January 23, 2025, following a protracted illness.

In addition, the late Lt. General’s demise was also contained in a statement in by Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State via his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

The governor described the demise of General Useni as a tremendous loss not only to his immediate family but also to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Plateau State, and the entire nation.

Brief Profile

Jeremiah Timbut Useni, born 16 February 1943, was a Nigerian army lieutenant general, who served as minister responsible for the administration of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja under the Sani Abacha military junta.

He served Nigeria in various capacities such as Minister for Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigeria Army.

Useni also served as Deputy Chairman of one of the significant parties in Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party.

He was elected Senator for the Plateau South constituency of Plateau State, Nigeria in the March 2015 national elections.

Useni came to national limelight in Nigeria when he was appointed Military Governor of Nigeria’s defunct Bendel State in January 1984.

In 1998, Useni then minister for the capital territory of Abuja, was rumored as a successor to General Sani Abacha. Useni stated that the decision to appoint Abdulsalami Abubakar instead was based on protocol.

Ten years later, Useni insisted Abacha died a natural death, contrary to rumors that he died after eating a poisoned apple.