He was 84 years old.

The elder statesman, who was also former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, died in an Abuja hospital on Thursday after a protracted illness.

The deceased, a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was finance minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo administration from 1999 to 2003.

He was also minister of agriculture and managing director of New Nigerian newspapers.

He has been laid to rest. Ciroma’s funeral prayer held at Annur Mosque and Islamic Centre in Abuja.

In attendance were Senate President Bukola Saraki; Ibrahim Geidam, governor of Yobe state; and Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president.