- Safiu Kehinde
The 2027 African Democratic Congress Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has explained reason behind his decision to establish the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State, as he replied to an X user who challenged him over the plight of out-of-school children, popularly known as Almajiris, in the north.
The X user with the handle, @Oluwabunmi63697, had in a comment on Atiku’s post questioned Atiku over his role in addressing the menace of the almajiris during his time as Vice President.
‘Have you ever addressed this, sir? You were VP for 8 years, these innocent children are in your region, and you couldn’t do anything to stop this calamity.’ The X user.
Reacting to the X user, Atiku admitted to the plight of the children.
Atiku disclosed establishing the American University of Nigeria to forster development in the northern region.
‘I understand your concern, @Oluwabunmi63697. The sight of children begging on our streets should trouble every Nigerian. I established the American University of Nigeria as a practical investment in education and the development of the North.
‘If profit had been my primary motivation, I could easily have located the university in Abuja or Lagos, where the commercial advantages would have been greater.
‘I chose Yola because I wanted to invest in my people, create opportunities, and bring world-class education closer to a region that had long needed greater access and development.’ He said.
Atiku further recalled how the AUN had initiated a learning programme which helped over 20,000 internally displaced children.
‘And as I have publicly stated before, this university is not my personal property or that of my family. I have already signed a deed of gift transferring it to the community.
‘AUN belongs to the community it was established to serve. Beyond its classrooms, AUN created the Feed and Read programme, providing vulnerable Almajiri children with daily meals while teaching them literacy and numeracy.
‘Through its Technology-Enhanced Learning for All initiative, AUN also helped more than 20,000 internally displaced children learn to read through educational radio programmes.’ He said.
The ex-Vice President also recalled awarding scholarship to the rescued Chibok girls as he reiterated his conviction that every child belongs in a classroom, not on the street with a begging bowl.
‘Following the Chibok tragedy in 2014, seven years after I left office, AUN awarded scholarships to young women who had escaped Boko Haram, giving them an opportunity to rebuild their lives through education.
‘My conviction remains simple: every child belongs in a classroom, not on the street with a begging bowl. Whether in government or outside it, I have always sought to turn that conviction into practical action.’ He added.