5 Transformative Projects of Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is one of the top contenders in the 2023 presidential elections. While he is popularly known as a former vice president of Nigeria, many Nigerians don’t know that the politician was involved in some strategic projects that generated money for him and positively impacted members of the public.

From his higher institution, the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Adama beverage limited to the role he played in the establishment of the National Hospital Abuja, Atiku has participated in significant projects that have helped better place the nation. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Economy

Atiku Abubakar cofounded an oilfield logistics firm, Intels Nigeria, known then as NICOTES (Nigeria Container Services) in 1982. The company which began as a shipping container has grown into a multi-national, multi-billion naira operation, that has benefited Nigeria in no small measure. Abubakar’s Intels has generated directly and indirectly generated thousands of jobs for Nigerians. It has also granted local businesses access to technology and expertise.

Intel is also known to have facilitated the transfer of technology to Nigeria, by investing in local talent which has helped to build local capacity in the technology industry. Importantly, Intel has invested in local communities by funding the construction of schools and health clinics in some areas. It has also supported environmental projects like the clean-up of oil spills. 

Atiku’s Intel has also launched initiatives, a notable one is the She Will Connect program. Launched in 2014 in partnership with UN Women and local NGOs, the initiative provides digital literacy skills to women entrepreneurs. Others include the Intel Developer Zone, which provides support and resources to Nigerian developers.

Education

Being a beneficiary of western education, after his father was jailed for restricting his access to school, Atiku established the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa state. The university which is a private, non-profit institution has been instrumental in transforming the education landscape in northeastern Nigeria. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields, including business, engineering, law, and communication. As one of his charitable causes, Atiku offered scholarships to some of the “Chibok girls.” The Chibok girls are survivors of a high-profile kidnapping orchestrated by Islamist Boko Haram militants in 2014. Atiku’s non-profit institution is providing world-class education and training to young Nigerians to date.

Health

Commissioned on 22 May 1999, the National Hospital, Abuja is one of the projects that Atiku spearheaded when he served as vice president(1999-2007). Atiku Abubakar was the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation when the idea of the hospital was birthed. Reports say he championed the idea of a world-class hospital that would provide top-notch healthcare services to Nigerians. Atiku also worked with other stakeholders to bring the project to fruition. In 1998, the Federal Government of Nigeria set up a committee to plan and design the hospital, and Atiku Abubakar was appointed as the Chairman of the committee. 

The committee worked tirelessly to ensure that the hospital was built to international standards and that it had state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities. The hospital which is a state-of-the-art medical facility that provides high-quality healthcare services to Nigerians has improved healthcare in Nigeria. 

Nigeria’s privatisation 

Atiku Abubakar played a significant role in the privatisation of state-owned enterprises in Nigeria. He served as the Chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) from 1999 to 2007, a council established to oversee the privatization of state-owned enterprises in Nigeria. 

The privatization of state-owned enterprises was to increase their efficiency and effectiveness, reduce government bureaucracy, and encourage private-sector investment in Nigeria’s economy. During Atiku’s tenure as the Chairman of the NCP, he ensured the privatization of various state-owned enterprises including the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Electric Power Authority (NEPA) through the development of policies and frameworks for the privatization process.

Adama Beverages Limited

Atiku is also known as the founder of Adama Beverages Limited, a Nigerian company that produces various soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled water, fruit drinks, and energy drinks. Headquartered in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, the company has provided employment opportunities to Nigerians across different levels of skill and education. 

Through its business activities, it has generated wealth for the nation. This is evident in tax payments and support for local businesses in their supply chain. Atiku has also sponsored scholarships for students in Adamawa state through this company. Also, Adama Beverages Limited makes clean and safe drinking water available to Nigerians. The company has been in operation for over 20 years and has become a major player in the Nigerian beverage market.

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