Maryam Sani Abacha born Maryam Jiddah on 4 March 1947 in Kaduna in northern Nigeria is a woman whose life combines royal heritage public service and enduring influence. She was born into a distinguished Kanuri family. Her father Alhaji Sheikh Mahammad Jidah and her mother Hajiya Ya Gumsu Nasara traced their ancestry to the Borno Emirate giving Maryam a lineage rooted in tradition and leadership.
Her early education laid the foundation for a lifetime of public engagement. She attended Tudun Wada Primary School in Kaduna and U N A Sabon Gari Primary School in Zaria before continuing at Dala Girls Secondary School in Kano. As a student she excelled in sports especially table tennis and participated in activities such as the Brownies and the Girl Guide movement. These experiences helped develop the leadership qualities that later defined her public life.
In December 1965 Maryam married Sani Abacha a young lieutenant in the Nigerian Army who would rise to become the country’s military Head of State. Together they raised seven sons and three daughters.
Throughout her husband’s career Maryam maintained a close family life while steadily growing into a figure of national prominence.
When General Sani Abacha assumed power on 17 November 1993 Maryam became Nigeria’s First Lady and used the position to champion programmes that improved the lives of women children and vulnerable groups. She founded the Family Support Programme in 1994 an initiative that addressed health education agriculture and the welfare of the disabled and destitute.
Three years later she introduced the Family Economic Advancement Programme to help families establish small businesses and cottage industries. Her influence extended beyond Nigeria when she represented the country at the 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women where she advocated for greater opportunities for women.
Maryam Abacha’s commitment to social development began even before she became First Lady. From 1985 to 1990 she led the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association promoting education and economic activities for officers families and other women. Her work in these roles helped shape a national conversation about the economic empowerment of women and the need to strengthen family support structures.
One of her lasting legacies is the creation of the National Hospital in Abuja originally conceived as the National Hospital for Women and Children. This institution remains a landmark in Nigeria’s healthcare system and reflects her vision of accessible medical care. Her programmes and initiatives influenced government policies on social welfare health and women’s affairs. In recognition of her work Maryam Abacha received numerous awards and honorary degrees from Nigerian and international institutions.
Maryam Abacha continues to attract public interest long after the sudden death of her husband in 1998.
She has occasionally spoken publicly about his administration and defended his record including in a 2025 Nigerian Tribune interview in which she challenged allegations of large scale financial mismanagement. Beyond these controversies her name endures in institutions such as the Maryam Abacha American University of Niger which reflects her lifelong association with education and social development.
From her royal Kanuri roots to her role as First Lady and her continued engagement in national affairs Maryam Abacha’s life tells the story of a woman who combined traditional heritage with a commitment to public service. Her influence on women’s empowerment healthcare and family welfare remains a significant part of Nigeria’s modern history.
Sources
Nigerian Tribune Maryam Abacha speaks on her husband’s alleged loot June 2025
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