Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has met with the teenage miner from Niger State whose video attracted widespread attention following the deaths of 37 suspected miners in the state.

Atiku had earlier pledged to support the education of the teenager, identified in reports as Yusuf Aliyu, after watching a video of him speaking about his experiences at a mining site in Niger State.

In his earlier statement, Atiku said the boy’s intelligence, confidence and clarity of expression should be nurtured in a classroom rather than at a mining site. He also expressed concern about the circumstances that had led the teenager to engage in mining.

“I am prepared to support his education and ensure that the brilliance we have witnessed is not buried by poverty,” Atiku had said.

The former vice president also appealed for the teenager’s safety, urging that any effort to reach him should be handled through his family and appropriate child-protection channels.

The teenager’s story gained national attention amid renewed scrutiny of illegal mining and the deaths of 37 suspected miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State. The deaths have prompted investigations by government authorities.

The meeting marks a follow-up to Atiku’s earlier commitment to help the young miner pursue his education and develop his potential beyond the mining environment.