The former Minister of Finance between 1986 and 1990, Prof. Chu S. P. Okongwu, has died.

Report revealed that he was 87 years of age.

The Anambra State-born Harvard-trained economist, who was also the National Planning Minister between 1985 and 1986, served under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige yesterday expressed shock at the former minister’s death. A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said: “President Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the Okongwu family on the passing of the foremost economist and a former Minister of Finance, Prof. Chu Okongwu.

“The President joins family, friends and associates in paying tributes to a man of many parts, who never hesitated to give his best to Nigeria as a broadcaster with the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS), sub-editor at the (defunct) Daily Times of Nigeria; lecturer at University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and a Federal Minister of National Planning and later, Finance.