Tinubu accuses Atiku of using public funds to build university while serving as vice‑president

President Bola Tinubu publicly challenged former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar over the financing of a private university that Atiku operates. The exchange took place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at a Rainbow Coalition campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Tinubu, addressing concerns about hunger and economic hardship, accused Atiku of building the university while he was vice‑president and responsible for the national economy, suggesting that public resources were used.

Tinubu’s remarks were repeated across several outlets. He urged the Nigerian public to seek clarification from Atiku regarding the construction of a university during his tenure as vice-president overseeing the economy. The question was posed as to who funded the establishment of that educational institution on his behalf. The funds used for the project belonged to the citizens. He also questioned Atiku’s moral integrity, describing him as lacking the ethics expected of public officials.

Atiku, who is currently the presidential nominee for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reacted by releasing a statement via his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He asserted that the ABTI Academy, the institution in question, was founded in 1993, six years before he assumed the vice‑presidency. Atiku emphasized that his business record is open to scrutiny and that his investment in education predates any public office he held.

Background

Atiku Abubakar served as Nigeria’s vice‑president from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, a period during which he was also tasked with overseeing economic affairs. The university, referred to in the media as a private institution, has been a point of contention in the political arena, especially as both men prepare for the 2027 general elections. Tinubu, the incumbent president, has faced criticism over rising hunger and economic challenges, prompting him to defend his administration by attributing some of the country’s problems to previous governments, including the Obasanjo‑Atiku era.

The rally where Tinubu made his accusations was part of his campaign tour for the All Progressives Congress (APC). He used the platform to counter criticism of his handling of the economy, linking the issue of hunger to policies he claims were inherited from former leaders. Atiku, campaigning for the ADC, has been a vocal critic of Tinubu’s administration, frequently highlighting economic difficulties under the current government.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights the political stakes ahead of the 2027 elections, with both candidates seeking to portray the other as corrupt or incompetent. Tinubu’s allegation that public funds were diverted to a private university attacks Atiku’s credibility and financial integrity, potentially influencing voter perception of his suitability for the presidency. Conversely, Atiku’s claim that the university was established before his time in office seeks to defuse the accusation and protect his reputation as a businessman and educator.

The issue also resonates with broader public concerns about economic management and hunger. By linking Atiku’s alleged misuse of funds to the current hardship, Tinubu aims to position his administration as a corrective force, while Atiku’s defense attempts to separate his private ventures from his public service record.

What happens next

Both politicians are expected to continue raising the issue in upcoming campaign events across Nigeria. Tinubu has not indicated any formal investigation into the university’s funding, and Atiku has not provided detailed financial records to substantiate his claim of a 1993 founding date. The matter is likely to feature in further debates and media interviews as the election campaign intensifies.