Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has taken a swipe at former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing him as a “sanitary inspector disguising as an economist”.
Keyamo made the remark in a brief post on X on Thursday, questioning the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate’s expertise in economic management.
Atiku obtained a diploma from the Kano School of Hygiene, an institution associated with training in public health, hygiene and environmental sanitation.
Keyamo’s comments come amid growing criticism of Atiku’s educational and professional background by senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Vice-President Kashim Shettima had similarly referred to Atiku’s training in sanitation on October 14 while speaking at the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign council in Abuja.
Shettima described some opposition politicians as “voodoo economists”, arguing that they lacked an understanding of the dynamics of a modern economy.
The vice-president returned to the issue on Monday at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, where he argued that Atiku lacked the skills required to manage a modern economy.
Shettima was reacting to Atiku’s pledge to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, warning that the proposal would reverse the gains of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and push Nigeria towards greater poverty.
The APC national secretary, Ajibola Basiru, also questioned Atiku’s professional qualifications during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today last Wednesday.
Basiru argued that Atiku’s experience as vice-president did not automatically make him an economic expert, citing his training at the Kano School of Hygiene and subsequent career in the Nigeria Customs Service.
However, the ADC presidential campaign council has rejected the personal attacks against Atiku.
Its director of strategic communication, Phrank Shaibu, said ridiculing the former vice-president over his educational background would not address the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Shaibu also challenged Shettima to address allegations concerning Tinubu’s academic records rather than focus on Atiku’s qualifications.