By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has responded to criticism over the continued street begging by Almajiri children in northern Nigeria, highlighting educational and humanitarian initiatives associated with the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola.
Atiku reacted on his X handle on Friday (today) to a post by an X user, @Oluwabunmi63697, who questioned his record as vice president for eight years and asked why he could not do more to address the plight of children in his region.
The user had posted a photograph showing Almajiri children carrying begging plates, alongside the comment: “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.”
Responding, Atiku acknowledged the concern, saying the sight of children begging on Nigerian streets “should trouble every Nigerian.”
He pointed to the establishment of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, describing it as a practical investment in education and the development of northern Nigeria.
According to him, his decision to locate the university in Yola rather than Abuja or Lagos was driven by the desire to create opportunities and expand access to quality education in a region he said had long required greater investment and development.
“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,” Atiku said.
He also clarified the ownership status of AUN, stating that it was not his personal property or that of his family. He said he had signed a deed of gift transferring the university to the community.
“Atiku said AUN belongs to the community it was established to serve.”
The former vice president further cited programmes implemented through AUN to support vulnerable children, particularly those affected by poverty and displacement.
He said the university established the Feed and Read programme, which provides vulnerable Almajiri children with daily meals while teaching them literacy and numeracy.
Atiku also highlighted AUN’s Technology-Enhanced Learning for All initiative, saying the programme helped more than 20,000 internally displaced children learn to read through educational radio programmes.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Atiku said AUN also awarded scholarships to young women who escaped Boko Haram captivity, enabling them to pursue education and rebuild their lives.
He stressed that his commitment to keeping children in school had continued beyond his time in government.
“My conviction remains simple: every child belongs in a classroom, not on the street with a begging bowl,” he said.
Atiku added that whether in government or outside it, he had consistently sought to translate that conviction into practical action.
