Atiku Abubakar’s parents are Garba Abubakar and Aisha Kande. Atiku Abubakar, a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman, was born to Garba Abubakar and Aisha Kande on November 25, 1946, in Jada, a village then under British Cameroons administration. His father, a Fulani trader and farmer, initially opposed Western education for his son. Atiku’s mother, Aisha Kande, supported his schooling, even paying fines when Garba was briefly jailed for not sending Atiku to school. Tragically, Atiku became an only child when his sister died in infancy. In 1957, his father drowned while crossing a river to a neighboring village, leaving young Atiku to navigate life with the guidance of his mother and extended family.
Personal Overview
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Information | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Atiku Abubakar |
Nickname | Atiku |
Date of Birth | November 25, 1946 |
Age as of 2024 | 77 years |
Ethnicity | Fulani |
Nationality | Nigerian |
Birth Place | Jada, Adamawa State (formerly British Cameroons) |
Hometown | Jada, Adamawa State |
Religion | Islam |
Height | 1.78 m |
Parents Name | Garba Abubakar and Aisha Kande |
Father Name | Garba Abubakar |
Mother Name | Aisha Kande |
Net Worth 2024 | Estimated $1.4 billion |
Sister / Brother | One sister (deceased in infancy) |
Wife/Husband | Multiple wives (currently four) |
Who is Atiku Abubakar?
Atiku Abubakar is a seasoned Nigerian politician, successful businessman, and philanthropist. He served as the Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Known for his extensive experience in both public service and private enterprise, Atiku has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for decades. He has run for the presidency multiple times, including in the 2023 election as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. Atiku is also recognized for his business acumen, particularly in the oil industry, and his contributions to education through the establishment of a university in northern Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar Parents
Father: Garba Abubakar
Garba Abubakar was a Fulani trader and farmer who played a significant role in shaping Atiku’s early life. He was an itinerant trader who traveled from market to market selling various goods, including jewelry, caps, and kola nuts. Garba was also a learned man who provided free Islamic classes to adults and young people in their village. Despite his initial opposition to Western education for Atiku, he was described as a fond father who saw his son as a child of destiny. Tragically, Garba passed away in 1957 when Atiku was only eleven years old, drowning while crossing a river to a neighboring village.
Mother: Aisha Kande
Aisha Kande was born in Jada to parents who had migrated from Dutse, now the capital of Jigawa State. She played a crucial role in Atiku’s upbringing, especially after the death of his father. Aisha supported Atiku’s pursuit of Western education, even when it led to conflict with her husband. She demonstrated her commitment to her son’s education by paying the fine when Garba was briefly jailed for not sending Atiku to school. Aisha’s influence and support were instrumental in shaping Atiku’s early life and his eventual success in both education and his career.
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Atiku Abubakar Personal Life
Age
As of 2024, Atiku Abubakar is 77 years old. Born on November 25, 1946, he has lived through significant periods of Nigerian history, from the colonial era to independence and beyond. His age and extensive experience have been both an asset and a point of discussion in his political career.
Wife
Atiku Abubakar has been married multiple times, in accordance with Islamic law. He currently has four wives: Titilayo Albert (married in 1971), Princess Rukaiyatu (married in 1983), Fatima Shettima (married in 1986), and Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas (though they divorced in 2022). His marriages reflect his embrace of polygamy and his desire to expand the Abubakar family.
Children
Atiku Abubakar is the father of 28 children from his various marriages. His large family is a result of his stated desire to avoid the loneliness he experienced as an only child. His children include Fatima, Adamu, Halima, Aminu (from Titilayo), Abba, Atiku Jr., Zainab, Ummi-Hauwa, Maryam, Rukaiyatu (from Ladi Yakubu), and many others from his other wives.
Education
Atiku Abubakar’s educational journey began at Jada Primary School and continued through Adamawa Provincial Secondary School. He later attended the School of Hygiene in Kano and Ahmadu Bello University’s Institute of Administration. In 2021, he completed a Master’s degree in International Relations at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, demonstrating his commitment to lifelong learning.
House
While specific details about Atiku Abubakar’s current residence are not widely publicized, it is known that he owns properties in various locations. As a successful businessman and politician, he likely maintains residences in major Nigerian cities, including Abuja and his home state of Adamawa. His properties reflect his status and wealth accumulated over decades.
Net Worth
As of 2024, Atiku Abubakar’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.4 billion. His wealth stems from various business ventures, particularly in the oil industry. Atiku co-founded Intels, a major oilfield logistics company, and has investments in other sectors. His financial status has been a subject of both admiration and scrutiny in Nigerian politics.
Atiku Abubakar Education
Atiku Abubakar’s educational journey is a testament to his perseverance and the value he places on learning. Despite his father’s initial opposition, Atiku began his formal education at Jada Primary School at the age of eight. He then attended Adamawa Provincial Secondary School, graduating in 1965. After a brief stint at the Nigeria Police College in Kaduna, he pursued a Diploma at the School of Hygiene in Kano, followed by a Law Diploma at Ahmadu Bello University’s Institute of Administration. His commitment to education continued well into his adult life, culminating in a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University in 2021, at the age of 74.
Atiku Abubakar Career
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Atiku Abubakar’s career spans both public service and private enterprise. He began his professional life in the Nigeria Customs Service, where he worked for 20 years, rising to the position of Deputy Director. After retiring in 1989, he ventured into business full-time, co-founding Intels, an oil servicing business that grew into a major player in the industry. His political career began in the early 1990s, culminating in his role as Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. Atiku has since been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, running for president multiple times. His career is marked by his ability to navigate both the public and private sectors successfully.
FAQs: Atiku Abubakar Parents
Who were Atiku Abubakar’s parents?
Atiku Abubakar’s parents were Garba Abubakar (father) and Aisha Kande (mother). His father was a Fulani trader and farmer, while his mother was from Jada, Adamawa State. They played crucial roles in shaping Atiku’s early life and values.
What was Atiku Abubakar’s father’s occupation?
Atiku’s father, Garba Abubakar, was an itinerant trader who traveled from market to market selling various goods such as imitation jewelry, caps, needles, and kola nuts. He also kept livestock and cultivated crops like guinea corn, maize, and groundnuts.
How did Atiku Abubakar’s parents influence his education?
Initially, Atiku’s father opposed Western education, but his mother supported it. This led to a brief imprisonment of his father for not sending Atiku to school. Eventually, with his mother’s support, Atiku began his formal education at age eight.
When did Atiku Abubakar lose his parents?
Atiku lost his father, Garba Abubakar, in 1957 when he was eleven years old. His father drowned while crossing a river to a neighboring village. The exact date of his mother’s passing is not widely reported.
Did Atiku Abubakar have any siblings?
Atiku had one sister who unfortunately died in infancy. This made him the only surviving child of his parents, which later influenced his decision to have a large family of his own.
Conclusion
Atiku Abubakar’s parents, Garba Abubakar and Aisha Kande played pivotal roles in shaping the man who would become one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures. Their humble beginnings, with Garba as a trader and farmer and Aisha as a supportive mother, laid the foundation for Atiku’s future success. The loss of his father at a young age and the experience of being an only child significantly influenced Atiku’s life choices, including his pursuit of education and his decision to have a large family. The values instilled by his parents, combined with the challenges he faced in his early years, contributed to molding Atiku into the resilient and ambitious leader he became in Nigerian politics and business.