State of the Nation: Exclusive Interview with Maryam Sani Abacha

Hajia (Dr.) Maryam Sani Abacha during an exclusive interview with Daily Struggle newspaper. The team from the Daily Struggle Newspaper condu...

Hajia (Dr.) Maryam Sani Abacha during an exclusive interview with Daily Struggle newspaper.

The team from the Daily Struggle Newspaper conducted an exclusive interview with Hajia (Dr.) Maryam Sani Abacha, the wife of Nigeria's former president, the late Sani Abacha, at her residence in the Federal Capital, Abuja. The discussion centred on the state of the nation and her views on the current hardships Nigerians are facing.

Here’s the full conversation:

DAILY STRUGGLE: In recent months, there has been a wave of protests against bad governance across Nigeria, fueled by economic and social pressures. During these protests, several cities—particularly in the northern states—witnessed clashes and the destruction of both government and private property. What is your opinion on these incidents, and what advice would you offer?

HAJIYA MARYAM ABACHA: Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi taala wabarakatuhu. As parent, and particularly as a woman and a mother, I want to speak from my heart. I speak not only as a citizen but also because of the work we did during my husband’s time in the military and my role as the president of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA). During our time in the Villa, I was involved in many initiatives to help Nigerians—especially the youth, women, and children. We accomplished many things, but as you know, in our country, when a new government comes into power, they often do not continue the projects started by the previous administration. They abandon them and begin something new. I want to draw the attention of the public and politicians to the fact that this practice is not helping the country or the community. Even if I had been the only one working, the plans I initiated should have been continued, as they would have made a difference. If certain things had been handled properly, the current situation in the country might have been different. But because these efforts were stopped, we are where we are today, and the issues we see have emerged as a result.

I believe it is important to speak again and draw the attention of those in authority—from the president and governors down to local councillors. It is also crucial to engage affluent individuals, urging them to take action in their respective areas to help the people, especially the youth. During most of the recent protests, the elderly did not participate. Young children also stayed home, and it was mainly the stronger ones, like you, who came out. Many of these young people, however, do not know the history of what has happened in this country, nor are they aware of current developments. You may recall that history education was removed from the curriculum in our nation. I want to take this opportunity to call for the reinstatement of history studies in schools. If our youth and children do not know the history of this country, they will not understand how to move forward. They should be taught about the past, the good things that were accomplished, and the lessons we can learn from both successes and mistakes. Only then can we correct what needs to be improved and build a better future.

There were several programs I initiated in the past under my Family Support Program, and when we visited Kano, I wanted to implement them through the Maryam Abacha Foundation. However, circumstances in my life did not allow me to carry them out the way I had hoped. And let me be clear—this is not about politics. This is about concern for the people, especially the children, because I, too, have children and grandchildren, and they are all young. That is why I sat down and wrote this document, outlining the things that need to be done. At the moment, we have vigilante groups in the country. I believe it is important to enhance their efforts in each community.

Recently, my friend’s house in Gwarinpa was broken into. Thankfully, she wasn’t harmed, but they stole her car, phone, television, luggage, and other belongings. As you can see, things are not going well. These young people—if they had something meaningful to do, they wouldn’t be resorting to theft. In the past, we launched a program called the 'Family Economic and Advancement Program,' where funds and craft materials were provided, encouraging people to start small businesses and find jobs. If that program had continued, you wouldn’t see women hawking on the streets or acting out of desperation. They would have remained in their marriages because they would have had something to contribute. Young people would have been employed, learned skills, gotten married, and maintained their households. This kind of lawlessness would have been avoided. If we strengthen the vigilante groups, the rate of conflicts will decrease, and crime will be reduced. Once people have jobs, they won’t turn to crime, and even if they do, they’ll be easily exposed.

I believe every neighbourhood—not just in Kano, but across Nigeria—should have an Islamiyyah school (for Islamic teachings) or a church-based school, depending on the community’s preference. We need teachers, whether Islamic scholars or pastors, to teach children religion in a way they can understand and instil faith in their hearts. This will help prevent future wrongdoing. Additionally, we need to equip these children with vocational skills. In the past, I opened many Vocational Training Centres in military barracks, and here in Kano, I established the Sani Abacha Youth Centre, near Madobi Road. Unfortunately, the centre is almost non-functional now. I also opened schools and vocational centres for women in the barracks. I even secured a plot of land in the city to establish a vocational school for women, but sadly, it seems the people of Kano let it die. This lack of progress didn’t hurt me personally, but it has hurt those who would have benefited from learning at the centre. You can see the stagnation this has caused.

There should be a Community Bank in every neighbourhood. In the past, we had such banks, and there’s a need to revive them so people can conduct business and save their money locally. This would eliminate the need to travel far to commercial banks, which often leads to problems like theft during the journey or being followed home. If the bank is within the community, most residents know each other, reducing the risk of theft because of this familiarity.

Additionally, the Nigerian Police Force should establish small police stations in every community to keep an eye on local activities and ensure safety in the area. There should also be maternity hospitals for women in each community. In the past, we had midwives who assisted women during childbirth, and environmental inspectors who ensured the cleanliness of homes, wells, kitchens, and drainage systems. These services should be brought back as they would greatly benefit the community.

Regular monthly inspections, which were done between states, should also be reinstated. Since they stopped, the entire country has been plagued by garbage, which brings disease. Reintroducing inspections would encourage cleanliness. It’s not too much to ask people to clean their surroundings, starting with the doorsteps of their homes. Cleanliness is part of our religion. Even in Western cultures, they say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Cleanliness is a form of worship, and it should be taken seriously. Environmental inspections should be reintroduced in every part of the country.

We also face a significant water shortage in the North. Every neighbourhood should have a borehole or a properly maintained well so that residents have access to clean water. Communities should invest in water pumps to ensure an adequate supply, rather than relying on impure water sold daily. If boreholes and pumps are established locally, even if the water is sold, it won’t be as expensive as bringing it from other neighbourhoods. The government has the resources to help make this a reality.

As for the Almajiri Commission, it has already been established, but there is a need to expand its reach into every district. Additionally, public bathrooms should be built in cities to prevent people from defecating on the streets, which has unfortunately become a common practice. This habit is not only unhygienic, but it also goes against religious teachings. It leads to unsanitary conditions, attracting rats and flies that spread diseases. These pests often contaminate food being sold on the streets. Every neighbourhood should have a public toilet, even if there’s a small fee to use it. It’s far better than having no access to proper sanitation. In some cases, people are even locked out of their homes or denied access to a bathroom. We need to ensure that these basic facilities are available to prevent sickness and improve overall hygiene. Public toilets would be a great help in maintaining cleanliness.

When we were children, we had something like a small market that we called “Duriya” in Maiduguri. It was a place where, instead of hawking goods in the streets, people would bring food and other items to sell in this small market. Now, we have restaurants that serve a similar purpose, but if we revived the concept of “Duriya,” it could be beneficial. People who sell things like flowers, milk, flour, salt, and seasonings could bring their goods to this market. Vendors selling baobab powder, meat, fish, and other items would store their products there, and the whole neighbourhood would come to buy. It would strengthen the local community, as neighbours would support each other through trade.

In the past, each ward had an orphanage. The head of the ward would take care of orphans and the weak, as the vulnerable are also like orphans in need of support. It is essential to help orphans and establish homes for them, as well as for elderly women whose husbands have passed away and who lack wealth. These individuals should be given assistance or capital to help them support themselves. Even in the neighbourhood, they could sell small items. When we were children, we used to see elderly people going to the market to buy and sell. All these things were part of our culture, but now they have stopped. And as a result, there is less security. If we bring back these practices, it will not only revive the community spirit but also enhance security in the neighbourhood.

In the past, when it came to food distribution, those wanting to give charity would prepare the food and children would come to ask for it. In Maiduguri, we called this “Alaruya.” Children would say, “Alaruya, please give us food, we are children.” It was also referred to as “Allazi wahidun.” When the food was prepared, those giving charity would bring it to a designated place for the children to receive. I recently saw on television how, in some foreign countries—countries that are neither Muslim nor Christian—the wealthy have built large restaurants where they place pots, bowls, water, and everything needed for a meal. Anyone passing by, whether poor or just hungry, can come in and eat good food. The bowls are chained to prevent people from taking them, and the cups are made of metal. Everything is clean and well-maintained. Once people finish eating, the utensils are washed and ready for the next person. We who have the means could establish similar restaurants here. For example, Hajia Mariya Sanusi has been providing charity food year after year, and I heard that during the protests, some of the charity items were stolen. However, this hasn’t stopped her from continuing to give, because God has blessed her with the ability to keep helping others.

I believe the country should have designated sessions where people gather to pray for the nation and its states. We should pray in every neighborhood, asking God to guide our children, our elders, and to make everything in our lives better. The government should regularly make announcements through their various agencies, using the radio to capture people’s attention. It’s not just about political speeches, slander, or vandalism. While I’m not saying those conversations should be stopped entirely, it would be better if they were minimized. Instead, the focus should be on informing the public about positive actions they can take. Even religious clerics or knowledgeable individuals should be invited to contribute in ways that benefit the community.

These are the thoughts I wanted to share, and I believe everyone has something to contribute that can help us move forward. Anyone who has ideas to uplift others should come forward and act, because this country is ours. The nation is ours, and life is too short to think we will live forever. You are born today, and tomorrow you’re gone. In the time we have, we need to help one another, our children, our grandchildren, and the community as a whole, so we can all live happy and fulfilling lives.

You see, there are countries that are not even particularly religious, yet they have order in their lives. Their systems work, and they work perfectly. So why don't we learn from them? Our children should be taught skills, manners, character, and other important values, but instead, they are often left on their own. People marry carelessly. I am a Muslim, and I’m not saying people shouldn’t marry, but some go ahead and marry without proper planning. You find a man who is a labourer, and his wife is also a labourer, yet they lack the means to properly care for their children. As a result, they send their children to almajiri schools. If every neighbourhood had an almajiri school, there would be no need to send children far away. They don’t have to be sent to the city; such schools can be established in villages and local neighbourhoods. This would prevent parents from sending their children to distant cities, where they often end up neglected and may face difficult circumstances.

DAILY STRUGGLE: If I understand correctly, your message is not just directed at the government but also calls on the rich, the poor, and everyone else to come together and implement these suggestions?

HAJIYA MARYAM ABACHA: I’m referring to those who are wealthy and those in positions of authority at the federal, state, and local levels. It’s not about one person taking sole responsibility, but about everyone coming together. Nigeria is like a picture with many hands on it, symbolizing unity and collaboration. Each neighborhood, each community can contribute to making things better. As a nation, we should help one another so that we can enjoy a better quality of life. Right now, our environment is filled with garbage, and it’s true that we lack proper ethics. The government needs to address this from the federal to the state level by reintroducing ethical practices. We all know what’s right, but we’ve become careless. However, if we make up our minds to change, we can. I have visited many countries, and you see that people there are ethical, honest, and their surroundings are clean. They have rules, and they follow them. Whether I’m abroad or here in Nigeria, I don’t engage in bad habits. Even if I have a cold, I use a handkerchief and dispose of it properly when I get home. But you see, we shouldn't walk around spitting on the streets, spreading diseases like the flu. People should also stop defecating in the open. These kinds of behaviours should no longer be issues in Nigeria. We are a nation that fought for independence and self-governance. Nigeria should have matured by now, just as we have. It’s time we take pride in our ethics. Our northern region and its leaders, especially, need to wake up and lead by example.

I also have a public opinion to share: religious clerics often speak out, as do politicians and opposition members, and we tend to blame one another for everything. However, if we don’t take responsibility for ourselves, no one else will. This has become a norm for far too long. I was the one who initiated the Presidential Task Force (PTF) in Nigeria, and then the government decided to adopt it. If the PTF had continued its work, schools, hospitals, and roads would have been properly maintained, and our communities would have thrived.

Instead, we saw these initiatives being undermined because some people didn't like who was in charge. It’s disheartening that projects aimed at benefiting the people were halted simply because of political biases. My late husband, for example, is no longer here to be affected by these decisions. It doesn't trouble him; however, it deeply affects the people who are denied the opportunity to benefit from development. They are the ones who suffer, and they are unhappy because they are denied a quality life.

DAILY STRUGGLE: In conclusion, what message do you have for leaders, as well as the wealthy and the underprivileged, to ensure that your suggested initiatives are implemented?

HAJIYA MARYAM ABACHA: What I am saying is that elders should fear God and administer justice to those under their care, as they are trying to do. The rest of the people should also show gratitude and humility. It's important for individuals to acknowledge the positive actions taken by the government and express their thankfulness. God said, “If you are grateful to Me, I will surely increase your blessings.” This applies to human relationships as well. For instance, if you express gratitude to someone like Kakaki for their kindness today, you may find they are even kinder to you tomorrow. Conversely, if gratitude is not expressed, you will see no improvement. Constantly waking up to insult the country, the government, the governor, or the minister serves no purpose. We are all human beings, and as such, we are imperfect.

One should truly fear God and follow His teachings. People under government care should seek opportunities, as I mentioned earlier, and when they receive help, they should embrace it and act upon it. Becoming a great person or a millionaire doesn’t happen overnight; even if your father is wealthy, you must put in the effort to maintain that wealth. If you sit back and consume what others have worked hard to create, it will eventually run out. Life demands that everyone learns to seek and understand how to sustain wealth while also being kind to others. If we show kindness to one another and help each other find meaningful work, we won’t have time to engage in unproductive pursuits. Look at the young people who protested; I feel sorry for them. They went out shouting, lacking knowledge, resources, and direction. This is not a path to survival. They lash out in sorrow as if seeking revenge, but this is not the solution. Breaking into a wealthy person’s storehouse to take what is not yours is a crime, and God will punish you for it. If you want the government to reform, damaging property is counterproductive. Just as a woman seeking to improve her marriage wouldn’t douse her husband’s food in salt and pepper, we should approach our grievances constructively. There’s a saying that a repentant wife will always find favour with her husband; similarly, we must be kind and honest. Kindness is invaluable.

We should strive to be good people and ambassadors of goodwill—polite, obedient, and caring for ourselves and each other. This principle extends to our neighbours as well. In Christianity, Islam, and all belief systems, we are called to care for those close to us, including our neighbours and coworkers. If we do this, we will be helping one another, and God will support us in our endeavours.

DAILY STRUGGLE: thank you.

HAJIYA MARYAM ABACHA: Alhamdulillah!

Hajia (Dr.) Maryam Sani Abacha with the Managing Editor of Daily Struggle newspaper shortly after the exclusive interview