Chairman

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 quadrupling GDP between 2000 – 2007. Atiku Abubakar’s political career began with Shehu Yar’Adua’s determination to build a national...more

Vice Chairman

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 Limited and former Chairman, Technical Committee...more

Director

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 and charity work in Kaduna and Katsina States.

Director

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 1979 and Director of Personnel Services, Army Headquarters, October 1979-November 1979...more

Director

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 Nigeria Limited. He was appointed Federal Minister for Special Duties in the Obasanjo Administration from 1999 to 2003...more

Director

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 of Dikko & Mahmoud law firm. Mr. Mahmoud is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK...more

Director

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; Chairman, Nigeria Economic Joint Commission and Chairman Sao Tome and Principe Joint Boundary Commission. He has chaired many corporate boards and served on numerous government committees. Chief Onyia has been awarded both national and international honours.

Treasurer

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 traditional title he inherited from his late father.

Director

Mrs. Jacqueline Farris has served as Director General of the Yar’Adua Foundation from its inception in 1998 till date. 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 Cum Laude. Her career achievements include Legislative Staff, Office of Congressman Andrew Young, Washington, D.C. (1976-1977);....more

Founding Chairman

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...more

Founding Member

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. He earlier served as Governor of Katsina state from 1999 to 2010..more

Founding Member

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 Works under the Murtala Mohamed administration. His tenure was responsible for the completion of major road projects including the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Benin-Shagamu dual carriageway and the A2 highway, linking Warri-Benin-Okene-Abuja-Kaduna...more