Maryam Abacha

Maryam Abacha ((Listen^ⓘ); born 4 March 1947) is the widow of Sani Abacha, Nigeria's military ruler from 1993 to 1998.^[1][2]

Maryam Abacha
First Lady of Nigeria
In role 17 November 1993 – 8 June 1998
Head of State	Sani Abacha
Preceded by	Margaret Shonekan
Succeeded by	Fati Lami Abubakar
Personal details
Born	Maryam Jidah (1947-03-04) 4 March 1947 (age 78) Kaduna, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria)
Spouse	Sani Abacha
Children	10
Parents	Mahammad Jidah (father) Nana Jiddah (mother)
Residence	Kano

Early life and career

In 1999, Maryam Abacha said that her husband acted in the good will of Nigeria. A Nigerian government official said that Maryam Abacha said that to convince the government to grant her a reprieve, as the president, Olusegun Obasanjo, had been jailed by Sani Abacha.^[3] After the death of her husband, Maryam was caught while attempting to leave Nigeria with 38 suitcases filled with cash.^[4] As of 2000, Maryam Abacha remained in Nigeria and continued to proclaim the innocence of her husband despite several human right abuses attributed to him.^[5] She resides in Kano state, Nigeria.^[6]

Maryam and Sani Abacha had three daughters and seven sons.^[7] Maryam Abacha's eldest surviving son is Mohammed Abacha.^[8]

Maryam Abacha founded National Hospital Abuja (originally known as the National Hospital For Women And Children) and established the African First Ladies Peace Mission.^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]}

Bibliography

• Kabir, Hajara Muhammad,. Northern women development. [Nigeria]. ISBN 978-978-906-469-4. OCLC 890820657.