The Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation was established by the friends, family and associates of Shehu Yar’Adua to honour the legacy of one of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary leaders and inspire future generations with his life of service. Through its facilities and programmes, the Foundation endeavours to further the ideals of Shehu Yar’Adua; his commitment to national unity, good governance and to building a just and democratic society for all Nigerians.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua: 20 Years in Memoriam
The 20th anniversary of late Tafida’s passing was an opportunity to remember one of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary leaders who died in Abakiliki Prison on December 8, 1997.
The occasion was chaired by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. Tributes were offered by Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd.), Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Mr. Kola Abiola and Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole. H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of Sierra Leone, served as Special Guest of Honour.
National Programmes of Commemoration (1999–2009)
From 1999 to 2009, the Foundation hosted personalities from around the globe who served as Special Guest of Honour at our Programme of Commemoration in honour of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. This collection features photographs, lectures and tributes from distinguished national and international world leaders.
Download the Memorial Lecture Collection →
Merit Scholars
In 2005, the Yar’Adua Foundation initiated the Merit Scholars programme to improve the lives of talented youth by sponsoring their education. Scholars were chosen from different states across the country. Twenty of the twenty-four Merit Scholars have earned university degrees; four have been awarded scholarships for Master’s Degree and PhD programmes abroad and seven are employed.
Mustapha Gidado
Kaduna State · AUN, Yola
BSc Petroleum Chemistry
Mary Amos
Ogun State · AUN, Yola
BA Int’l & Comparative Politics
Amina Abdulkadir
Katsina State · BUK, Kano
BSc Microbiology
Victory Friday Inyang
Akwa Ibom State · AUN, Yola
BSc Environment & Health
Fiddausi Adamu
Kaduna State · UMYU, Katsina
BSc Mathematics
Onyinyechi Onuigbo
Enugu State · AUN, Yola
BSc Petroleum Chemistry
Zainab Iliyasu
FCT · AUN, Yola
BSc Computer Science
Hassan Tajudeen
FCT · AUN, Yola
BSc Petroleum Chemistry
Aisha Muhammad
Kano State · BUK, Kano
BSc Microbiology
Aliyu Abubakar
Adamawa State · BUK, Kano
BSc Biology (Ed)
Hauwa Hashim
Plateau State · University of Jos
BSc Business Administration
Ibrahim Bawa
Plateau State · University of Jos
BSc Microbiology
Chukwuma Onwujiuba
Anambra State · AUN, Yola
BSc Petroleum Chemistry
Chidinma Ifekauche
Anambra State · AUN, Yola
BSc Petroleum Chemistry
Destiny Enabulele
Edo State · AUN, Yola
BSc Business Administration
Uduak Usoro
Akwa-Ibom State · UNN
BSc Urban & Regional Planning
Aminu Yahaya
Kano State · BUK, Kano
BSc Physics Education
Abdulsamad Adeleke
Ogun State · BUK, Kano
Telecoms Engineering
Fatimah Rilwan
Nasarawa State · AUN, Yola
BSc Computer Science & Maths
Idris Umar
Nasarawa State · AUN, Yola
BA Economics
Olutoyin Oluwajemilehin
Ekiti State · AUN, Yola
BSc Journalism
Franklin Aziujali
Enugu State · UNN
Electrical Engineering
Amira Jalo
Adamawa State · UI
Guidance & Counseling
Mu’azu Haliru
Kaduna State
Charity Projects
Over the years, the Foundation has provided financial, medical and other forms of relief to society. Beneficiaries include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), public schools and charity organisations.
Yar’Adua Foundation staff donated food items — rice, beans, clothes, toiletries and children’s toys — to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Karamajiji, Abuja during Ramadan 2016.
Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s Eye Witness project transports children in rural areas to a world beyond their communities through educational TV and cartoon programmes. The Foundation supported this initiative to bring quality educational content to underserved communities.
The Foundation shared fabrics and clothing items between three charities: FOMWAN, Daughters of Mercy Kubwa, and a free treatment area for HIV/AIDS.
Over 1,000 books donated by the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation were distributed to schools and charity organisations including the Yar’Adua Community Library in Lambar Zango, Kaduna.
The Katsina Eye Centre was commissioned on November 3, 2011. Cataract surgeries and eye care were provided at no cost. The Yar’Adua Foundation was instrumental in establishing the partnership between the Katsina State Government and its medical partners.