RismadarVoice Reporters
November 7, 2026
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s allegation that public funds were used to establish his university, insisting that his investment in education began before he assumed office in 1999.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, asserted in a statement issued on Saturday by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The statement followed Tinubu’s remarks at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where the President questioned how Atiku financed his educational institution while serving as vice-president.
Tinubu alleged that the university was established with public resources, although no supporting financial records were presented in the reported remarks.
Responding, Atiku maintained that his educational investments predated his vice-presidency, claiming that he laid the foundation for ABTI Academy in 1993.
However, the official history published by the American University of Nigeria (AUN) identifies 2002 as the year ABTI Academy was established.
The university’s records further indicate that ABTI University received its licence in 2003, construction commenced in October 2004, and its first students were admitted during the 2005–2006 academic period.
These dates place the university’s formal establishment during Atiku’s tenure as vice-president, although they do not establish that public funds financed the institution.
Atiku also revived allegations concerning Tinubu’s 1993 forfeiture of funds in the United States, questioning the President’s moral standing to challenge his financial history.
The former vice-president accused Tinubu of diverting public attention from economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising government debt.
He further claimed that millions of Nigerians had fallen into extreme poverty under the administration, although the specific figure cited was not independently established.
Outlining his proposed economic policies, Atiku pledged to introduce a production-based fuel subsidy linked to domestic refining if elected president in 2027.
He argued that the arrangement would reduce petrol and diesel costs while improving economic conditions for households and businesses.
Atiku also promised to expand social welfare programmes and strengthen accountability in the distribution of government assistance.
The exchange highlights growing political disagreements over economic management, public accountability and the personal records of presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
Neither Tinubu’s allegation concerning the university’s financing nor Atiku’s explanation of its funding has been independently established through publicly available financial records.
