By Anwar Usman
Former Vice President of Nigeria and the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar has promised to support the education of Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner in Niger State whose video went viral following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the state.
Atiku made the promise in a statement on X on Sunday after watching the teenager speak at a mining site, saying Aliyu’s intelligence and confidence should be nurtured in a classroom rather than at a mining site.
“I have watched Yusuf Aliyu’s video repeatedly, and each time, my heart breaks. A child with such intelligence, clarity and confidence should be in a classroom building his future—not struggling for survival in a community surrounded by gold but buried in poverty.
“I cannot look at him and see an ‘illegal miner.’ I see a Nigerian child failed by the country that should have protected him. I see brilliance trapped by poverty and enormous promise abandoned by leadership,” the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said.
Aliyu, interviewed by News Central Television in a video that has circulated online, alleged that personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had been shooting at miners at a gold mining site in Niger State.
Atiku said the teenager’s experience highlighted serious concerns about poverty in communities with mineral resources, as well as the management of Nigeria’s mining sector.
“But this video raises a question that should trouble the conscience of every Nigerian: how can a community sitting upon gold remain so poor that it cannot educate its children? How can its wealth leave the soil while hunger and deprivation remain in its homes?”
“This is an indictment of the Tinubu administration. The Federal Government controls Nigeria’s mineral resources, yet the communities producing that wealth remain without schools, opportunities or protection.”
The former vice president also called for Aliyu’s protection, warning that his public comments should not expose him or his family to intimidation or retaliation.
Atiku further revealed that, Aliyu’s circumstance is as a result of what he described as failures by the government to provide opportunities for children living in mineral-producing communities.
“This boy is evidence against the Tinubu government. His intelligence exposes the opportunities it has failed to provide. His poverty exposes the injustice of Nigeria’s mining economy. His presence at that site exposes an administration that has left brilliant children without a ladder out of deprivation.”
He also demanded explanations from the Federal Government over the status of PAGMI in Niger State and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 37 suspected illegal miners in NSCDC custody.
“The government must explain what became of PAGMI in Niger State and how 37 Nigerians died in the custody of a federal agency. Calling them ‘illegal miners’ cannot erase their humanity or excuse their deaths.”
Atiku said he would continue to advocate for children such as Aliyu, stressing the need to protect their lives, education and future.
