Atiku Abubakar

Early Life and Background

Atiku Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946, in Jada, a small town in the then Northern Region of British Cameroon, which is now part of Adamawa State, Nigeria. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Atiku. His father was Garba Abubakar, a Fulani trader and farmer, and his mother was Aisha Kande. Atiku was their only child. His father initially resisted Western education, a common sentiment among rural communities at the time, leading to a brief period where Garba Abubakar was arrested and fined for refusing to send young Atiku to school. After paying the fine, Atiku began his formal education. Tragically, his father passed away in 1957 when Atiku was just 11 years old, leaving him to be raised by his mother and maternal relatives. This early loss instilled in him a strong sense of independence and resilience.

Education

Atiku Abubakar began his primary education at Jada Primary School in 1954, completing it in 1960. He then proceeded to Adamawa Provincial Secondary School in Yola, where he studied from 1961 to 1965. Following his secondary education, he briefly enrolled at the Nigeria Police College in Kaduna but left shortly after due to not possessing the requisite West African Senior School Certificate (WASC) General Certificate of Education (GCE) at the time. Undeterred, he gained admission to the School of Hygiene in Kano in 1966, where he obtained a Diploma in 1967. Subsequently, he pursued an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (ADPA) at the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, from 1967 to 1969. He graduated in 1969, marking the end of his formal academic pursuits before embarking on a career in public service.

Career

Atiku Abubakar commenced his professional career in 1969 when he joined the Nigeria Customs Service as a Custom Officer II. Over two decades, he diligently rose through the ranks, serving in various customs formations across the country, including significant postings in Apapa (Lagos), Idi-Iroko (Ogun State), and Kano. His tenure in the Customs Service provided him with extensive exposure to national economic activities and administrative procedures. He voluntarily retired from the service in April 1989, holding the rank of Deputy Director of Customs.

Even during his time in public service, Atiku Abubakar began to venture into business. His entrepreneurial journey started with real estate, acquiring land in Yola in the early 1980s and constructing properties for rent. This initial success led him to diversify. A pivotal moment in his business career was the founding of Nigeria Container Services (NICOTES) in 1982, a logistics and transportation company that later evolved into Intels Nigeria Limited (Integrated Logistics Services). Intels became a major player in the oil and gas logistics sector, providing comprehensive services to international oil companies operating in Nigeria. He also established other ventures, including a beverage manufacturing plant, Rico Gado, and invested significantly in agriculture. In 2005, demonstrating his commitment to education, he founded the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State, which is notably the first American-style university in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Atiku's political career began to take shape in the late 1980s. He was a protégé of General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and was elected to the Constituent Assembly in 1989, which was tasked with drafting a new constitution for Nigeria. In 1991, he ran for Governor of Gongola State (which was later split into Adamawa and Taraba States) but was disqualified. In 1993, he contested the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential primaries, emerging third behind Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, eventually stepping down to support Abiola. With the return to democratic rule in 1998, Atiku was elected Governor of Adamawa State under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, he was shortly thereafter chosen by General Olusegun Obasanjo as his running mate for the 1999 presidential election. They won, and Atiku Abubakar served as the Vice President of Nigeria for two terms, from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007.

As Vice President, he chaired the National Council on Privatization and played a significant role in the Obasanjo administration's economic reform agenda, including initiatives related to debt relief, anti-corruption efforts through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the liberalization of various sectors. His second term, however, was marked by a public and often contentious feud with President Obasanjo, primarily stemming from allegations of a third-term agenda for Obasanjo, which Atiku vehemently opposed. This strained relationship led to his departure from the PDP. In 2007, he contested the presidential election as the candidate for the Action Congress (AC) party, coming in third. He later rejoined the PDP, contesting the party's presidential primaries in 2011, where he lost to then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2014, he defected to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), again seeking the presidential ticket, but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. By 2017, he returned to the PDP, won the party's presidential primary in 2018, and became the PDP's presidential candidate for the 2019 general election, where he lost to President Buhari. He challenged the results in court but was unsuccessful. In 2023, he once again secured the PDP presidential ticket, contesting against Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC and Peter Obi of the Labour Party. He subsequently lost the election and pursued legal challenges up to the Supreme Court, which affirmed Tinubu's victory.

Major Achievements

Atiku Abubakar's career is marked by several significant achievements. As Vice President, he spearheaded the National Council on Privatization, overseeing the reform and privatization of numerous state-owned enterprises, a cornerstone of the Obasanjo administration's economic liberalization policies. He was instrumental in Nigeria's efforts to secure debt relief from the Paris Club. His most enduring legacy in the private sector is the establishment of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, a pioneering institution that has significantly contributed to higher education in Africa. Through his various business ventures, particularly Intels Nigeria Limited, he has been a major job creator and contributor to Nigeria's economy. He has also been a consistent voice for the restructuring of Nigeria's federal system, advocating for greater devolution of powers and resources to states, a position he has maintained across his various political campaigns.

Personal Life

Atiku Abubakar is a practicing Muslim. He has married multiple wives, which is permissible under Islamic law, and has a large family. His wives include Dr. Amina Titi Abubakar, Hajia Ladi Yakubu, Princess Rukaiyatu Abubakar, and Jamila Atiku Abubakar (formerly Jennifer Iwenjora). He has over 20 children, many of whom are actively involved in business and politics. Some of his notable children include Adamu Atiku Abubakar, who has served as a Commissioner in Adamawa State, and Abba Atiku Abubakar. Despite the demands of his public and business life, Atiku maintains a strong connection to his hometown of Jada and Yola, where he has significant investments and properties. He is known for his extensive network of political and business associates across Nigeria and beyond.

Legacy

Atiku Abubakar's legacy is that of an enduring and persistent figure in Nigerian politics and business. He is often regarded as one of the most successful private sector entrepreneurs to transition into high-level public service. His consistent advocacy for economic reforms, particularly privatization and restructuring, has shaped national discourse. The American University of Nigeria stands as a testament to his commitment to education and human capital development. However, his political journey has also been marked by controversies, including allegations of corruption during his time as Vice President and his protracted political battles with former President Obasanjo. These controversies have led to a mixed public perception of his character and political integrity. Nevertheless, Atiku Abubakar remains a powerful and influential voice, embodying a blend of traditional northern Nigerian political influence and modern entrepreneurial drive, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria's political and economic landscape as a relentless contender for the nation's highest office and a significant private sector investor.