On Monday, Professor Tam David-West Nigerian academic, author, and former Petroleum Minister passed away on Monday 11th November at University College Hospital Ibadan.

David-West was born in Buguma, Kalabari, in what is now Rivers State. He received his higher education at the University of Ibadan (1956–1958) and earned a BSc degree at Michigan State University (1958–1960), an MSc degree at Yale University (1960–1962), and a PhD degree at McGill University (1964–1966). 

In a 2018 interview, he describes his time at Yale: “I was the president of International students in Yale,” “When we had independence, the international students in Yale held a party for Nigeria. I was very proud of Nigeria.”

In 1969, David-West went on to become a consultant virologist and senior lecturer at the University of Ibadan where he was then promoted to professor of virology in 1975.

He also wrote numerous books and articles, some of which appeared in scholarly journals such as Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology (1966), Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (1973), Intervirology (1974), and Journal of Hygiene (1974). 

David-West also wrote two books about Buhari: Who Really Is General Muhammadu Buhari and The Sixteen ‘Sins’ of General Muhammadu Buhari? 

 “I must mention that General Buhari was kept in the dark about both projects,” David-West said. “I only informed him some two weeks to the launching. I don’t have to consult him to tell the truth about him.”

As a critic, David-West criticized the ‘unconstitutionality’ of the advisory council established by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, and he voiced caution against government unreservedly opening its doors to United States intelligence.

Despite their long-standing friendship, David-West had also openly criticised Buhari.

 “First, you (Buhari) were accused that you wanted to Islamise Nigeria and it is completely false,” he said. “If you now allow different states in different parts of the country, to establish special places for ranching, would people not say it is a means of establishing colonies for Islamic groups?”

Their frienship however, remained in tact after these comments. 

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina jas stated: “The president believes Mr David-West’s contribution to the economic and political architecture of Nigeria and his clear reasoning, wisdom and guidance through all the transition phases to democracy will always be remembered and respected."

President Buhari has since described David-West as his friend and “a brilliant virologist” who “had an indomitable spirit, stood resolutely by whatever he believed in, and was in a class of his own.”

He was a multi-faceted man who served Nigeria well.