Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has explained that his decision to establish the American University of Nigeria in Yola, Adamawa State, was driven by a desire to promote education and development in Northern Nigeria rather than to make personal profit.

Atiku made the clarification while responding to criticism over the persistent problem of Almajiri children and out-of-school children in the region.

He argued that if financial gain had been his primary objective, he would have located the university in commercially stronger cities such as Lagos or Abuja. Instead, he chose Yola to create educational opportunities for people in the region and bring quality education closer to them.

The former vice president also disclosed that the university is no longer his personal or family property. He said he had signed a deed of gift transferring ownership of the institution to the community it was established to serve.

Atiku further highlighted several initiatives linked to the university aimed at supporting vulnerable children. One of them is the Feed and Read programme, which provides daily meals to Almajiri children while helping them acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills.

He said another initiative, Technology-Enhanced Learning for All, had helped more than 20,000 internally displaced children develop reading skills through educational radio programmes.

The former vice president also recalled the support provided to young women who escaped the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok. He said the university subsequently awarded scholarships to some of the survivors, giving them an opportunity to continue their education and rebuild their lives.

Atiku said the continued sight of children begging on the streets should concern Nigerians and policymakers, stressing that children should be in classrooms rather than on the streets.

He maintained that his commitment to expanding educational opportunities and supporting vulnerable children has continued both during his time in government and after leaving office.