Atiku Abubakar Biography: Age, Career, Spouse, Family, Net Worth

Who is Atiku Abubakar?

Profiling Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Abubakar Biography

Atiku Abubakar GCON, born on November 25, 1946, is a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman who served as Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Abubakar’s political career began in earnest in 1990 when he was elected Governor of Adamawa State, a position he was re-elected to in 1997 and 1998. His prominence increased significantly when he became Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate in the 1999 presidential election, a partnership that was renewed in the 2003 elections.

Since embarking on his political journey in 1993, Atiku Abubakar has made several bids for the presidency of Nigeria. He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times: in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. In 1993, he competed in the Social Democratic Party’s presidential primaries but lost to Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe.

In the 2007 presidential election, Abubakar ran as the candidate of the Action Congress, finishing third behind Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP. During the 2011 presidential election, he contested the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but was defeated by the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ahead of the 2015 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sought the party’s nomination but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. He rejoined the PDP in 2017 and ran as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2019 election, where he was again defeated by the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

Early Life

Atiku Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946, in the village of Jada, which, at the time of his birth, was administered by the British Cameroons. This territory would later become part of Nigeria following the 1961 British Cameroons referendum. His father, Garba Abubakar, was a prominent Hausa trader and farmer known for his involvement in local commerce and agriculture. His mother, Aisha Kande, was a devoted homemaker who played a crucial role in managing the family’s affairs.

Atiku was given the name Atiku in honor of his paternal grandfather, Atiku Abdulkadir, who hailed from Wurno in Sokoto State. Atiku Abdulkadir had relocated to Kojoli village in Jada, Adamawa State, where he established himself. His maternal grandfather, Inuwa Dutse, had also moved to Jada, bringing his family from Dutse in Jigawa State. The names chosen for Atiku reflected a deep respect for his family heritage and lineage.

Tragically, Atiku became the only surviving child of his parents when his only sister passed away in infancy. This loss was a significant emotional blow to the family and left Atiku with a profound sense of solitude.

In 1957, a tragic incident occurred when Atiku’s father drowned while attempting to cross a river to reach Toungo, a neighboring village. This event was a major turning point in Atiku’s early life, profoundly impacting his family and shaping his future path.

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Education

Atiku Abubakar GCON, born on November 25, 1946, is a prominent Nigerian politician and businessman who served as Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Abubakar’s political career began in earnest in 1990 when he was elected Governor of Adamawa State, a position he was re-elected to in 1997 and 1998. His prominence increased significantly when he became Olusegun Obasanjo’s running mate in the 1999 presidential election, a partnership that was renewed in the 2003 elections.

Since embarking on his political journey in 1993, Atiku Abubakar has made several bids for the presidency of Nigeria. He ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times: in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. In 1993, he competed in the Social Democratic Party’s presidential primaries but lost to Moshood Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe.

In the 2007 presidential election, Abubakar ran as the candidate of the Action Congress, finishing third behind Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of the PDP and Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP. During the 2011 presidential election, he contested the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries but was defeated by the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

Ahead of the 2015 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and sought the party’s nomination but lost to Muhammadu Buhari. He rejoined the PDP in 2017 and ran as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2019 election, where he was again defeated by the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

Age

Atiku Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946. As of 2024, he is 77 years old.

Career

Atiku Abubakar’s career spans across several sectors, including business, politics, and public service. His journey is marked by significant achievements and a broad range of roles.

Early Career and Business Ventures Atiku began his professional career in the public sector, working for the Nigerian Customs Service. He served as a Deputy Director before resigning to focus on business ventures. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a variety of businesses, including interests in agriculture, transportation, and logistics. Atiku’s business acumen and strategic investments significantly contributed to his wealth, establishing him as a prominent figure in Nigeria’s business community.

Political Career Atiku’s entry into politics came in 1993 when he ran for the presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Although he was unsuccessful, his political journey gained momentum. In 1999, he was elected as the Vice President of Nigeria, serving under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. During his tenure, Atiku played a key role in the administration’s economic reforms and was instrumental in various policy initiatives.

Following his vice presidency, Atiku continued to be an influential figure in Nigerian politics. He was elected Governor of Adamawa State in 1990, and his tenure saw significant development in the region. He returned to the political arena in 2011 as a senator, representing the Adamawa Central Senatorial District.

Presidential Aspirations Atiku has made several attempts to secure the presidency of Nigeria. He ran for president in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. Although he was not successful in these bids, his campaigns were notable for their extensive reach and high-profile endorsements.

Recent Developments In the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar ran as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but lost to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite this, Atiku remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics and continues to be involved in various political and business activities.

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Personal Life

Atiku Abubakar has had a complex personal life marked by multiple marriages and a large family. He has been married four times and is the father of twenty-eight children. Reflecting on his family life, Atiku has stated, “I wanted to add to the Abubakar clan. As a child, I was extremely lonely. I had no brothers or sisters. I didn’t want my kids to feel as lonely as I did. This is why I married multiple wives. My wives are my sisters, friends, and advisers, and they balance each other out.”

Atiku’s first marriage was to Titilayo Albert, whom he wed secretly in Lagos in 1971 due to initial opposition from her family. From this marriage, he has had four children: Fatima, Adamu, Halima, and Aminu.

In 1979, he married Ladi Yakubu, his second wife. With Ladi Yakubu, Atiku fathered six children: Maryam, Abba, Atiku, Ummi-Hauwa, Zainab, and Rukaiyatu. Following his divorce from Ladi Yakubu, Atiku married Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas, his fourth wife, in accordance with Islamic law, which permits up to four marriages.

His third marriage took place in 1983 to Princess Rukaiyatu, the daughter of Aliyu Mustafa, the Lamido of Adamawa. From this union, he had seven children: Aisha, Hadiza, Aliyu (named in honor of his late father-in-law), Asmau, Mustafa, Laila, and Abdulsalam.

Atiku’s fourth marriage was to Fatima Shettima in 1986.

Throughout his life, Atiku has been blessed with a substantial number of children, including Fatima Abubakar, Adamu Abubakar, Asmau Abubakar, Aliyu Abubakar, Shehu Abubakar, Hadiza Abubakar, Laila Abubakar, Aminu Abubakar, Ahmed Abubakar, Hafsat Abubakar, Meena Abubakar, Zainab Abubakar, Bilkisu Abubakar, Aisha Abubakar, Abba Abubakar, Rukayatu Abubakar, Abdulsalaam Abubakar, Mustapha Abubakar, Ummi-Hauwa Abubakar, Atiku Abubakar, Mohammed Abubakar, and Maryam Abubakar.

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Net Worth

As of 2024, Atiku Abubakar’s estimated net worth is around $1.4 billion. This substantial wealth primarily stems from his successful career in business and investments, including extensive real estate holdings and interests in various industries. His wealth is complemented by his political career and various entrepreneurial ventures.

Social Media

You can follow him through the social media handles below:

• Twitter: @atiku