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Fatima Lami Abubakar CON (born 12 April 1951) is a Nigerian jurist who was the First Lady of Nigeria during the term of Abdulsalami Abubakar from June 1998 to May 1999. After her reign as First Lady, Abubakar was the Chief Judge of Niger State from 2013 to 2016.

Early life and education

Fatima Lami was born on 12 April 1951 in Minna, Nigeria and completed her high-school education at Our Lady's High School and St Anne's Queen's Elizabeth Secondary School in Ilorin, Kwara. She went to college in Ilorin before going to the Federal Government College, Sokoto and University of Ife. In her post-secondary studies, she completed multiple degrees in law, ranging from a bachelor's degree to a Doctor of Philosophy. Abubakar also completed additional schooling at the Nigeria Law School. She is the first Nigerian First Lady to have graduated from university.

Career

Abubakar began her career in law as an inspector and senior counsel in Nigeria. She was named the solicitor general of the Niger State Ministry of Justice in 1985 and a judge for the High Court in 1989. In March 2013, Abubakar was named the Chief Judge of Niger State. She held this position until her retirement in April 2016.

Outside of her career in law, Abubakar was a part of a constituent assembly from 1988 to 1989 and a bank fraud committee from 1989 to 1992. In June 1998, Abubakar became the First Lady of Nigeria after her husband Abdulsalami Abubakar assumed office of President of Nigeria. Her reign as First Lady ended in May 1999. During her term as First Lady, Abubakar founded the Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative in 1999, which focuses on women's human rights. She was conferred with Sir Ahmadu Bello Honours Award for her outstanding service to humanity, advocacy on child rights and prison congestion by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.

Personal life

Abubakar is married to former President of Nigeria Abdulsalami Abubakar, with whom she has six children.

Bibliography

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

References

1. "List of Nominees for National Honour Award - 2022" (PDF). Premium Times. p. 5.
2. "Niger: Aliyu Appoints Abdulsalami Abubakar's Wife As Acting Chief Judge". Channels TV. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
3. Elebute, Ayo; Oyedele, Obasanjo (15 May 2020). "Africa's First Ladies: Communicating Political Thought in Nigeria". Women's Political Communication in Africa. Contributions to Political Science. pp. 119–132. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-42827-3_8. ISBN 978-3-030-42827-3.
4. "Hon. Justice Fati Lami Abubakar". Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
5. Yawa-Siraja, Uthman (19 April 2016). "Justice Fati Abubakar, exit of an incorruptible judge". Newsline. Niger Printing and Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
6. ^ Abubakar, Ndama; Siraja, Uthman (8 May 2016). "Retirement: Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, former chief judge of Niger State". Newsline. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
7. "Justice Fati Abubakar retires as Niger state chief judge". Ventures Africa. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
8. ^ Agekameh, Dele (27 April 2016). "Fati Abubakar: A life of service". The Nation. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
9. "Ex-First Lady, Justice Fati Abubakar honoured". The Nation. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
10. Ukwu, Jerrywright (15 April 2016). "Justice Fati Abubakar retires as Niger state chief judge". Legit.ng. Retrieved 14 September 2024.

v t e First ladies of Nigeria
Flora Azikiwe Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi Victoria Gowon Ajoke Muhammed Esther Oluremi Obasanjo Hadiza Shagari Safinatu Buhari Maryam Babangida Margaret Shonekan Maryam Abacha Fati Lami Abubakar Stella Obasanjo Turai Yar'Adua Patience Jonathan Aisha Buhari Remi Tinubu

• 1951 births
• Living people
• First ladies of Nigeria
• Obafemi Awolowo University alumni
• Nigerian Law School alumni
• 20th-century Nigerian women
• 20th-century Nigerian lawyers
• Nigerian women judges
• Commanders of the Order of the Niger