Chapter 03 of 17

Heritage - Family

Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was born in Katsina to the late Mutawallin Katsina, Mallam Musa Yar’Adua, whose selflessness, spirituality, strong character, and leadership greatly influenced him. Descending from a distinguished family with deep roots in Islamic scholarship and traditional leadership, Shehu was the grandson of two Mutawallins of Katsina through both his paternal and maternal lineages. He attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government Secondary School, Katsina), where he excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, serving as House Captain, football captain, and an active member of the debating society, dramatic society, and Cadet Corps. On December 27, 1965, he married Binta, daughter of Alhaji Shehu Usman, Sarkin Maska and District Head of Funtua. Their union was blessed with nine children: Asiya, Murtala, Buhari, Ahmed, Aminu, Maryam, Ibrahim, Tukur, and Hanatu.