Have you been recognised internationally for your work?
Yes. In 2011, the National Peace Corps Association of the United States made me the first recipient of its Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award, for my contribution to democracy and to higher education in Africa. Their citation said that no private businessman in Africa had worked harder for democracy or contributed more to higher education.
I am also a Foundation Fellow of St Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
In June 2013, the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations in Switzerland conferred on me the honorary degree of Doctor of International Relations (honoris causa).
Where this comes from
p. 1 Honours Atiku Abubakar: Official biography 2026-10-02 ›
Honours
In 1982, at the unusually young age of 36, Atiku was appointed to the enviable position of Turaki Adamawa, a position of honour, and a position of high responsibility. Since then accolades have been bestowed on him from various monarchs across the six geo-political zones of the country. He holds the following titles:
• Waziri of Adamawa (Adamawa Emirate)
• Zege Mule U Tiv (Tiv Nation, Benue State), "Great Shelter of the Tiv Nation", conferred on 27 May 2001
• Sardauna of Ganye (Adamawa State)
• Maiyedero of Lagos
• Ekwueme of Anambra
• Atayese of Ijeshaland
• Zanna Zantaelma of Borno
• Zanna Kawaskima of Yobe
• Shettima of Biu (Borno State)
• Suka of Ogoniland
• Unuamani of Adamawa
• Baagbile of Oke Ona Egba, Egbaland
• Omekaojuora of Igbuzo
• Otun Balogun of Mopaland
• Nwanne Di na Mba of Ngor-Okpala (Imo State)
• Enyioha Ndigbo
In June 2017, he was elevated Waziri Adamawa, second in command only to the Lamido of Adamawa; the Waziri is one of the highest offices of the Adamawa Emirate and a senior kingmaker. On becoming Waziri he relinquished the title of Turaki Adamawa, which passed to his son, Aliyu.
Rotary International and the National Peace Corps Association of the United States have recognised the former Vice President for matching his passion with his purse. In 2011, the National Peace Corps Association made him the first recipient of its Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award, for his contribution to democracy and to higher education in Africa. "No private business man in Africa has worked harder for democracy or contributed more to higher education than Atiku Abubakar," his citation read. (Source: National Peace Corps Association, https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/cpages/wofford-award-winners)
He is a Foundation Fellow of St Antony's College, University of Oxford (Source: St Antony's College, https://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-atiku-abubakar/). On 30 June 2013, the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Switzerland, conferred on him an honorary doctorate in Diplomacy and International Relations.
Atiku has also been honoured by a number of Nigerian universities:
• PhD Honoris Causa, University of Maiduguri
• PhD Honoris Causa, University of Calabar
• PhD Honoris Causa, Igbinedion University, Okada
• PhD Honoris Causa, Federal University of Technology, Yola
• PhD Honoris Causa, Imo State University, Owerri
• PhD Honoris Causa, Bayero University, Kano
• PhD Honoris Causa, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun
