The Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation was established by the friends, family and associates of Shehu Yar’Adua to honour the legacy of one Nigeria’s foremost contemporary leaders and inspire future generations with his life of service. Through its facilities and programmes, the Foundation endeavours to further the ideals of Shehu Yar'Adua; his commitment to national unity, good governance and to building a just and democratic society for all Nigerians.

The 20th anniversary of late Tafida’s passing was an opportunity to remember one of Nigeria’s foremost contemporary leaders who died in Abakiliki Prison on December 8, 1997.

The occasion was chaired by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. Tributes were offered by Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd.), Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Mr. Kola Abiola and Ambassador Patrick Dele-Cole. H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, former president, Sierra Leone served as Special Guest of Honour.

In 2005, the Yar’Adua Foundation initiated the Merit Scholars programme to improve the lives of talented youth by sponsoring their education. Scholars were chosen from different states across the country. Twenty of the twenty-four Merit Scholars have earned university degrees; four have been awarded scholarships for Master’s Degree and PhD programmes abroad and seven are employed.