Atiku Abubakar to Fund Education for Niger Teen Miner

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 general elections, has offered to fund the education of Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner from Niger State. This decision follows the deaths of 37 miners in the state, which occurred after their arrest by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on September 15 and 16.

Atiku expressed his distress over Yusuf's situation, stating that the teenager's intelligence and potential should not be wasted in poverty. He emphasized the need for Yusuf's protection, warning that the attention from his viral video could expose him and his family to risks.

Yusuf had alleged that NSCDC personnel opened fire on miners and rejected claims that the deaths were due to a disease outbreak. Atiku criticized the government's approach to artisanal mining, contrasting it with previous initiatives aimed at formalizing small-scale miners.

An independent federal committee and a Niger State committee have been established to investigate the incident.