Abuja – December 4, 2025: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to elder statesman and nationalist, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, as he marks his 100th birthday on December 5.

In a statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu described Alhaji Yakasai as one of the last surviving figures of Nigeria’s anti-colonial struggle, noting his firm stand against colonial oppression and his lifelong dedication to national freedom and unity.

Born in Kano City a century ago, Yakasai, according to the President, rose from humble beginnings to live a life of purpose and impact. His early experiences under colonial rule spurred him into activism, where he contributed to Nigeria’s liberation as a freedom fighter, journalist, and political activist.

The President recalled Yakasai’s active role in the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), under the leadership of Mallam Aminu Kano, where he and his colleagues mobilised and politically awakened the people of Northern Nigeria in the lead-up to Independence.

Following Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, Yakasai continued to play key roles in nation-building. He served as a State Commissioner in Kano State under Military Governor Audu Bako and later as Special Assistant on National Assembly Liaison to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic.

President Tinubu praised Yakasai’s enduring commitment to national unity, peaceful coexistence, and democratic development, describing him as a consensus builder whose voice has consistently been guided by the interest of the nation.

As he joins family, friends, and associates to celebrate the centenarian, the President said the occasion marks not only the life of Alhaji Tanko Yakasai but also a century of dedicated service to freedom, democracy, and Nigeria’s progress.