Atiku pledges scholarship to viral Niger teen miner

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar announced on X that he will fund a scholarship for Yusuf Aliyu, a teenage artisanal miner who gained national attention after a viral video of his speech at a Niger State mine. The video surfaced following the recent deaths of 37 miners in the state, a tragedy that has drawn widespread scrutiny of artisanal mining safety. Atiku expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and said he was prepared to support Aliyu’s education as a way to honor the fallen miners and encourage safer, more sustainable livelihoods. The pledge follows a broader push for reforms in the sector and highlights the role of education in mitigating the risks faced by young miners.