Atiku Abubakar is a Nigerian politician, businessman, philanthropist and former Vice President of Nigeria. He is one of the country’s most prominent political figures, having spent several decades in public service and contested for the presidency multiple times. He served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and later became the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections.
Beyond politics, Atiku has built business interests in different sectors and founded the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State. His political journey has included several party changes, presidential campaigns and major disagreements with political allies.
Born on 25 November 1946 in Jada, Adamawa State, Atiku Abubakar is 79 years old as of November 2026. He is also known for his large family, business activities and continued involvement in Nigeria’s political affairs. In 2026, he secured the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
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Atiku Abubakar Biography: Quick Facts
- Full Name: Atiku Abubakar
- Date of Birth: 25 November 1946
- Age: 79 years old (as of November 2026)
- Place of Birth: Jada, Adamawa State, Nigeria
- State of Origin: Adamawa State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Ethnicity: Fulani
- Religion: Islam
- Occupation: Politician, businessman and philanthropist
- Political Party: African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Former Position: Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007)
- Education: Ahmadu Bello University and Anglia Ruskin University
- Marital Status: Married
- Children: Reportedly 28
- Net Worth: Not officially established
- Known For: Serving as Nigeria’s Vice President and contesting several presidential elections
Early Life and Background
Atiku Abubakar was born on 25 November 1946 in Jada, a community in present-day Adamawa State, northeastern Nigeria. He was born into a Fulani family and named after his paternal grandfather, Atiku Abdulkadir.
His father, Garba Abubakar, was a trader and farmer, while his mother was Aisha Kande. Atiku was reportedly the only surviving child of his parents after his sister died at a young age.
His childhood was shaped by traditional family values, religion and the challenges of growing up in a rural community. His father was a deeply religious man who initially opposed Western education because he believed it could negatively influence his son’s upbringing.
However, Atiku’s maternal uncle helped him enrol at Jada Primary School in January 1954. His father’s opposition to compulsory Western education eventually led to his arrest after he refused to comply with the authorities’ instructions.
A major tragedy occurred in 1957 when Atiku was about 11 years old. His father drowned while attempting to cross a river near Toungo after heavy rainfall. His death left Atiku without his father at a young age, and his mother and extended family members helped raise him.
Despite these difficult beginnings, Atiku remained committed to education. His experiences growing up in a rural community later influenced his interest in education, economic development and opportunities for young Nigerians.
Education
Atiku Abubakar began his formal education at Jada Primary School in Adamawa State. He later attended Adamawa Provincial Secondary School in Yola, where he completed his secondary education in 1965.
After secondary school, he briefly attended the Nigerian Police College in Kaduna. However, he did not complete the programme.
In 1966, he enrolled at the School of Hygiene in Kano, where he obtained a diploma in 1967. He subsequently gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in Kaduna State.
At ABU, Atiku studied Law and obtained a Diploma in Law in 1969. His legal education provided useful knowledge that later supported his work in public administration and politics.
He also pursued further studies much later in life. Reports indicate that he obtained a master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom.
His educational journey is often cited as an example of his determination to continue learning despite the challenges he experienced during childhood.
Career and Professional Journey
Atiku Abubakar’s professional journey includes a long career in the Nigeria Customs Service, business, education and politics.
Career in the Nigeria Customs Service
After completing his studies at Ahmadu Bello University in 1969, Atiku joined the Nigeria Customs Service.
He spent approximately 20 years working in the organisation, where he held different positions and gained experience in public administration, revenue collection and border management.
During his service, he rose through the ranks and eventually attained the position of Deputy Director. He retired from the Nigeria Customs Service in April 1989.
His experience in the public sector helped prepare him for his later involvement in national politics and business.
Business Career
Atiku began exploring business opportunities while working as a customs officer. One of his early investments was in real estate.
According to accounts of his early business activities, he obtained a loan of about ₦31,000 to build his first residential property in Yola. He rented out the property and used the proceeds to expand his investments.
He later ventured into agriculture, acquiring a large piece of land for maize and cotton farming. Although the agricultural venture eventually closed, he continued exploring other commercial opportunities.
One of his most significant business associations involved Nigeria Container Services, commonly known as NICOTES, which later became associated with INTELS, a major logistics and oil-service company.
Over the years, his business interests expanded into areas such as logistics, property, agriculture, education and beverage production.
Atiku has also been associated with Adama Beverages Limited and other business ventures.
His business activities have attracted public attention and political debate, particularly regarding the relationship between his commercial interests and public responsibilities during his years in government.
Political Career
Atiku Abubakar began his involvement in Nigerian politics during the 1980s. He became associated with political movements and influential figures, including the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He was involved in the People’s Front of Nigeria and later became part of the political activities that contributed to the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party.
In 1991, he contested for the governorship of the then Gongola State, which was later divided into Adamawa and Taraba states. He also sought the presidential ticket of the Social Democratic Party in 1993 but lost to Moshood Abiola.
Governor-Elect of Adamawa State
In 1998, Atiku contested and won the governorship election in Adamawa State under the PDP.
However, he did not eventually serve as governor because he accepted an invitation to become the running mate of Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1999 presidential election.
Vice President of Nigeria (1999–2007)
Atiku Abubakar became Vice President of Nigeria after the PDP won the 1999 presidential election.
He served alongside President Olusegun Obasanjo for two consecutive terms, from 1999 to 2007.
As Vice President, he chaired the National Council on Privatisation and played an important role in the government’s economic reform programme.
His responsibilities included overseeing aspects of the privatisation of public enterprises and supporting efforts to encourage private-sector participation in the Nigerian economy.
However, his relationship with President Obasanjo became strained during their second term. One major disagreement concerned the proposed constitutional changes that could have allowed Obasanjo to seek a third presidential term.
Atiku opposed the third-term proposal, creating a major political disagreement between the two leaders.
Presidential Ambitions
After leaving office as Vice President in 2007, Atiku continued pursuing his ambition to become Nigeria’s president.
He contested the 2007 presidential election under the Action Congress but finished behind the leading candidates.
He later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and participated in its presidential primary ahead of the 2015 election. He lost the party’s ticket to Muhammadu Buhari.
Atiku subsequently returned to the PDP and won its presidential nomination for the 2019 election. He contested against Buhari but lost.
In 2022, he won the PDP presidential primary again and became the party’s candidate for the 2023 general election. He finished second behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
Atiku Abubakar and the ADC in 2026
In July 2025, Atiku resigned from the PDP, citing disagreements within the party and concerns about its direction.
He formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in November 2025 as part of efforts to build an opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
In May 2026, he submitted his ADC presidential nomination form. Later that month, he won the party’s presidential primary, defeating other contenders, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
His emergence as the ADC candidate marked another major chapter in his decades-long pursuit of Nigeria’s presidency.
Atiku Abubakar’s Net Worth and Lifestyle
Atiku Abubakar is regarded as one of Nigeria’s wealthy politicians and businessmen. His wealth is associated with decades of business investments, property interests and commercial activities.
His reported business interests have included:
- Real Estate: Property investments and residential developments.
- Logistics: Business interests associated with Nigeria Container Services and INTELS.
- Education: Founder of the American University of Nigeria.
- Agriculture: Earlier investments in commercial farming.
- Beverage Production: Association with Adama Beverages Limited.
- Other Investments: Interests in various commercial and financial ventures.
What Is Atiku Abubakar’s Net Worth?
Atiku Abubakar’s exact net worth has not been officially established through a comprehensive, independently verified public financial statement.
Different websites publish estimates of his wealth, but these figures vary considerably and should not be treated as confirmed financial information.
His business interests, property investments and long involvement in Nigeria’s private and public sectors suggest considerable wealth. However, it is more accurate to describe his net worth as undisclosed than to present an unverified figure as fact.
Atiku is also associated with philanthropic activities and educational initiatives, particularly through his support for education in Nigeria.
Personal Life: Wife and Children
Atiku Abubakar has a large family. He has been married multiple times and is widely reported to have 28 children.
His family life has attracted public attention because of his marriages and the number of children he has.
Who Is Atiku Abubakar’s Wife?
Atiku’s marital history includes several women. Public biographies commonly identify his wives as Amina Titilayo Albert, Saadatu Ladi Yakubu, Princess Rukaiyatu and Fatima Shettima. He has also been associated with Jennifer Jamilah Atiku-Abubakar, a lawyer.
His first marriage was to Titilayo Albert in December 1971. Their marriage produced four children.
He later married Ladi Yakubu in 1979, followed by Princess Rukaiyatu in 1983 and Fatima Shettima in 1986. Reports also indicate that some of these marriages ended in divorce or changed over time.
Because his marital arrangements have evolved, it is important to distinguish his historical marriages from his current marital status rather than assume that every previously reported wife remains a current spouse.
How Many Children Does Atiku Abubakar Have?
Atiku Abubakar is widely reported to have 28 children, consisting of sons and daughters from his marriages.
Some of his children have become known through their professional activities, business interests and public appearances.
Despite his prominent political position, Atiku generally keeps much of his family’s private life away from political activities.
Atiku Abubakar’s Role in Education and Philanthropy
One of Atiku’s notable contributions outside politics is his involvement in private education.
He founded the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State. The institution was established to provide an American-style university education within Nigeria.
The university began admitting students in the 2005–2006 academic session and later became known as the American University of Nigeria.
Atiku has also supported educational initiatives and scholarship programmes. His involvement in education reflects his belief that access to quality learning can contribute to national development.
The institution has become an important part of his legacy beyond his political career.
Conclusion
Atiku Abubakar’s life reflects a long journey from a rural childhood in Jada, Adamawa State, to some of the highest levels of Nigerian politics and business.
From his early struggles with education and the loss of his father to his career in the Nigeria Customs Service, business activities and eight years as Vice President, he has remained an influential figure in the country’s political history.
Although his repeated presidential ambitions have not yet resulted in his election as president, he continues to play an important role in opposition politics. His emergence as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election has further extended his political journey.
Beyond politics, his business interests, educational investments and family life remain important parts of his public profile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atiku Abubakar
1. How old is Atiku Abubakar?
Atiku Abubakar was born on 25 November 1946. He is 79 years old as of November 2026 and will turn 80 on 25 November 2026.
2. What is Atiku Abubakar’s net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly established through independently verified financial records. Although several websites publish estimates, these figures should be treated as unconfirmed.
3. Who is Atiku Abubakar’s wife?
Atiku has been married multiple times. His publicly reported marital history includes Amina Titilayo Albert, Saadatu Ladi Yakubu, Princess Rukaiyatu and Fatima Shettima, as well as Jennifer Jamilah Atiku-Abubakar.
4. How many children does Atiku Abubakar have?
Atiku Abubakar is widely reported to have 28 children from his marriages.
5. What did Atiku Abubakar study?
He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a Diploma in Law in 1969. He also reportedly obtained a master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom.
6. Was Atiku Abubakar a Vice President of Nigeria?
Yes. He served as Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
7. Which political party does Atiku Abubakar belong to in 2026?
As of November 2026, Atiku Abubakar is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He won the party’s presidential primary in May 2026 and became its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.