Board of Directors

H.E. Atiku Abubakar (Wazirin Adamawa), GCON was elected Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. As Vice President, he chaired the National Economic Council which was responsible for assembling the outstanding talent that transformed the Nigerian economy, more than… Read more

Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun serves as Director, Africapital Management Limited, an institution that provides financial and investment advisory services to a diversified client base including corporations, financial institutions, governments, state owned enterprises and high-net worth individuals. Mr. Kekere-Ekun is the former Managing Director, Habib Nigeria Bank… Read more

Hajia Binta Yar’Adua is the widow of late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. They married on December 27, 1965 after her graduation from Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State. In addition to Hajia Binta’s active participation in guiding Yar’Adua Foundation programmes, she devotes herself to religious… Read more

Lt. General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (Rtd.) served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence and National Security Advisor during the Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan Administrations. General Aliyu was Commander of the 9th Infantry Brigade, Abeokuta April 1976–July 1978, Adjutant General of the 2nd Mechanized Division July 1978–September… Read more

Mr Yomi Edu is a qualified Insurance Broker and Attorney, receiving his LLB, Barrister at Law, from the University of Buckingham, England in 1989. He has served on various boards including the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, African Alliance Insurance Company, Kewalrams Nigeria Limited and Afcot… Read more

Barrister Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2001. He was the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and Pro-chancellor of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil. He is the first Vice President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Founder… Read more

Mallam Murtala Yar’Adua is the eldest son of Shehu Yar’Adua and served as Minister of State, Defence under the Goodluck Jonathan Administration. He holds a B.Sc. Degree in Business Management and an MBA in Financial Management. Mallam Murtala was turbaned Tafidan Katsina in 2002, a… Read more

Mrs. Jacqueline Farris served as Director General of the Yar’Adua Foundation from its inception in 1998 to 2025. Born in Panama City, Florida, U.S.A., she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Urban Development from Michigan State University in 1977, graduating Magna… Read more

Amara Nwankpa is an experienced civic technology and public policy expert committed to context-specific, evidence-based policy development that aligns with the complex social, political, and institutional dynamics shaping governance on the continent. He has over 12 years’ experience in leading, developing, and contributing to public… Read more

H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yar’Adua Foundation from its inception in 1998 to 2022. His last act as Chairman was hosting the 20th anniversary of the Commissioning of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre. Read more

Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was Shehu Yar’Adua’s younger brother and a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Yar’Adua Foundation from its inception in 1998 until his death. The late President was elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2007.… Read more

Late Alhaji M.T. Usman was a cousin and colleague to Shehu Yar’Adua and served as Member of the Board of Directors of the Yar’Adua Foundation from its inception in 1998 until his death. Late Alhaji Usman served as Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of… Read more

Late Chief Dubem Onyia was elected Member of the House of Representatives in 1999 and resigned to serve as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2003. During the period he was also appointed Chairman, International Technical Commission for the National Boundary Commission;… Read more