One of the heads of government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, a prominent statesman and political figure Nasib bey Yusifbeyli was born in 1881 in Ganja.
Yusif bey Yusifbeyli, elected as a representative to the Constituent Assembly of Russia but unable to travel to Petrograd due to the October Revolution of 1917, actively participated in the establishment of the Transcaucasian Sejm. Serving as the Minister of Education in the government of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic proclaimed on April 22, 1918, he undertook the most complex and responsible tasks in national policy. After the formation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, in the first cabinet of the government organized by Fatali Khan Khoyski, Yusifbeyli held the position of Minister of Finance and Public Education, and subsequently in the 2nd and 3rd cabinets of Khoyski – the position of Minister of Public Education and Religious Convictions.
Among the important events during Yusifbeyli’s tenure were the establishment of Baku State University, sending about 100 Azerbaijani young people to various universities in Europe, preparation and enactment of a land reform bill, opening courses to combat illiteracy, and more. Additionally, one of the government’s final decisions was a resolution on January 30, 1920, to develop projects for military orders, a national anthem, a state emblem, and a seal.
The most significant event in the history of the Azerbaijani people was the de facto recognition of Azerbaijan’s independence by the great powers on January 11, 1920. On January 14, Nasib bey Yusifbeyli brought this news to the Azerbaijani people.
The government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic could not fully realize its plans. Nasib bey Yusifbeyli, who left the city to avoid persecution after the occupation of Baku by the 11th Red Army, was tragically killed on the road on May 31, 1920.
