History & Background

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.

The Foundation’s primary focus during its first decade was the promotion and consolidation of the legacy of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. To achieve this goal, the Foundation organized a series of high-profile memorial lectures, where prominent global leaders including President Nelson Mandela and Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto served as special guests of honor.

In 2010, the Yar’Adua Foundation began focusing on formulating and implementing sustainable public policy by establishing the Public Policy Initiative. With support from international development partners and donors, the Foundation’s Public Policy Initiative has significantly impacted Nigeria’s governance processes in credible elections, resource governance, climate advocacy, gender justice, and governance and accountability. The impact of the Foundation’s work to date has institutionalized its role as the foremost platform for policy and citizen engagement in Nigeria.

The Public Policy Initiative has received tens of millions of dollars in grants in the last ten years. These grants have provided resources for capacity building, organizational strengthening and the Foundation’s programmes focusing on climate advocacy, gender justice, resources governance, accountability, democracy and credible elections.

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 Abakaliki 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.

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.