Why Nigeria needs to be re-structured

Why Nigeria needs to be re-structured
Post Date September 1, 2018
Comments 36 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Nigeria, Politics, The Economy, Uncategorized

In a recent interaction in the United States, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo asserted that the “problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring…and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographic re-structuring”.

It is a surprise that the Vice President would take such a position and, in particular, fail to appreciate the connection between Nigeria’s defective structure and its underperformance.

It is unhelpful to reduce the construct of “Restructuring” to a geographical …

Read More »

Dear I Go Dye, You Are Right, But We Can Fix Nigeria Together

Dear I Go Dye, You Are Right, But We Can Fix Nigeria Together
Post Date December 7, 2017
Comments 115 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, The Economy

Dear I Go Dye,

I read your post on Instagram. It was hard to miss it because it was on every major news website. I would like to say that you were mostly right. The questions you raised in your post are similar to the ones I have been asked by other young people on social media, so I am replying this not just to you as a person, but to all young Nigerians who have asked similar questions.

Firstly, you are right. The Nigerian youth have often …

Read More »

Good Governance and Development: Notes on Nigeria

Post Date May 5, 2017
Comments 69 Comments
Author
Category History, Leadership, Nigeria, Politics, The Economy

Being speech by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the 2nd Annual Convention of the Abia State Medical Association Alumni Association, UK, held at Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Dartford, London. 30 April, 2017.

Protocol:

If you are like me you would have sat around fellow Nigerians as they discuss the many challenges facing the country and the many ways they think those challenges can be met. And you likely participated in some of those discussions. After listening and analyzing the litany of …

Read More »

Beyond Terrorism: Education and Sustainable Development

Beyond Terrorism: Education and Sustainable Development
Post Date November 14, 2015
Comments 31 Comments
Author
Category Agriculture, Business, Education, History, Leadership, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, Politics, Security, Speeches, The Economy, The Issues

Remarks By Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Founder, American University of Nigeria, Yola, at the 10th Founder’s Day Celebration of the University, at Yola

14 November, 2015

Protocol

In a way it is difficult to believe that this is the 10thFounder’s Day of this dream we call AUN, the American University of Nigeria, Yola. The years have passed rather quickly. But they have been very memorable, challenging and rewarding years. That we have turned this wilderness, in the middle of nowhere, so …

Read More »

My PTDF Story

My PTDF Story
Post Date March 25, 2014
Comments 40 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, History, Nigeria, Personal Thoughts, The Economy

I was recently mentioned in a tweet by a follower, @naigerian, who was asking about alleged mismanagement of PTDF funds. For the benefit of @naigerian and other citizens of Nigeria, I will explain how the PTDF was designed to work, and what happened during my time in office.

In order to understand the issue of the PTDF, I should point out that the laws establishing PTDF was designed such that the fund itself could not be directly spent. The PTDF as a fund could only be drawn …

Read More »

#Davos2014: Our solutions must solve local problems

#Davos2014: Our solutions must solve local problems
Post Date January 27, 2014
Comments 7 Comments
Author
Category Education, Leadership, The Economy

I think it’s fair to say that Nigeria had a good showing in Davos. That our country and President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is actively participating in the annual meet up of the world’s most influential persons shows that there is yet belief in the potentials of Nigeria’s economy and her future.

It’s good to see that the hard work of readmitting Nigeria into a position of visibility on the international stage, which we made a priority in 1999, is yielding fruit.

However, I must reiterate that the …

Read More »

Notes from the 2013 North East Economic Summit

Notes from the 2013 North East Economic Summit
Post Date December 9, 2013
Comments 10 Comments
Author
Category Personal Thoughts, The Economy

By Atiku Abubakar

Last week I attended the North East Economic Forum in Gombe State, organised by the leadership of the six states that make up the North East geopolitical zone: Adamawa (my home state), Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi states.

As you all know, that part of Nigeria has sadly become synonymous with terror and mindless violence. When Boko Haram is mentioned Borno and Yobe states immediately come to mind – an wave of destruction and bloodletting that has left nowhere untouched: schools, religious houses, …

Read More »

Nigeria has potential to kick out poverty

Nigeria has potential to kick out poverty
Post Date October 18, 2013
Comments 7 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Nigeria, The Economy, Uncategorized

Yesterday (October 17), in honour of the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I asked the people of Nigeria to support our young people and the future that lies ahead. In our young men and women lies the capacity to eradicate poverty and to change the path of Nigeria’s future for the better. In our government lies the capacity to help them achieve it.

Poverty does not simply have one solution; rather it requires the concerted application of many solutions. Nigeria has vast …

Read More »

Moving Nigeria beyond oil: Is there really a political will?

Moving Nigeria beyond oil: Is there really a political will?
Post Date September 4, 2013
Comments 76 Comments
Author
Category The Economy

Speech by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2nd Annual Nigeria Diaspora Leadership Summit, London School of Economics, 4 September 2013.

As originally prepared for delivery – Due to scheduling difficulties, speech has been cancelled.

I am not sure a politician is the right person to ask whether the political will exists in a country to accomplish a particular task.  This is more so when that politician is not holding any executive or even legislative position.  Perhaps your request that I speak on this topic is informed by my having occupied a senior …

Read More »