Abdullahi Bashir Haske: Building Legacy Through Resilience, Audacity, Service

Abdullahi Bashir Haske, born on December 13, 1987, in Yola, Adamawa State, is the enterprising founder and Group Managing Director of AA&R Investment Group—a diversified conglomerate with major interests in oil and gas, aviation, agriculture, logistics, Information Communication Technology (ICT), and marine services. Despite his young age, he has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s youngest self-made billionaires, earning him the nickname “Silent Billionaire” for his wide-reaching influence. Kayode Tokede writes on building legacy through resilience, and audacity that has brought him into recognition including the national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Early beginning…

In the quiet town of Ganye, Adamawa State, Nigeria, where resilience is less a choice than a way of life, a young boy faced a tragedy that would shape his destiny.

Haske lost his father at a tender age, an event that could have easily dimmed his light. Instead, it ignited in him a fierce sense of responsibility. That loss became both wound and compass, teaching him discipline, independence, and a determination to chart a future where he would not only survive but thrive.

“Life was never going to hand me anything easily,” he reflects, and so he embraced hard work early. What began as a child’s instinct to provide for his family evolved into a larger mission: to build businesses, create opportunities, and leave behind a legacy that outlives him.

While tragedy fueled his ambition, his grandfather refined it. A seasoned businessman, he taught Haske lessons that transcended commerce. Integrity, humility, and respect for people, no matter their station and these became Haske’s guiding principles. “Your word is your bond,” his grandfather would remind him, instilling a philosophy that trust is the most valuable currency in both life and business.

Growing up in Ganye reinforced those lessons. The environment demanded audacity, the boldness to chase opportunities without fear, while also nurturing a deep sense of community. Haske absorbed both, combining courage with connectedness, daring with duty.

Journey into entrepreneur

As a teenager, Haske tested those lessons in the marketplace. Trading petroleum products and agro-commodities, he earned his first profits. It was more than money; it was proof that vision, courage, and discipline could be translated into results. That early start lit the path toward bigger ambitions, from setting up a rice mill to leading ventures in oilfield services, ICT, logistics, and aviation.

But Haske’s focus shifted over time. It was no longer about simply running businesses; it was about creating lasting value, building industries, and shaping opportunities for others.

Today, AA&R Investment Group houses several high-performing subsidiaries, including Etihad Oilfield Services, Mars Aviation, H&W Rice Company, Etihad Trading, and Nitro Switch Ltd. His companies have created thousands of jobs, spurred innovation in oilfield services, and played a pivotal role in agricultural development across Adamawa and Kwara States.

His entrepreneurial journey, however, has not been without heartbreak. The Addax transaction stands out as one of the most painful chapters. He and his team poured time, resources, and hope into the venture, only to see it unravel. For many, it could have marked the end. For Haske, it was a test of resilience. “Setbacks may slow you down,” he says, “but they don’t define your destination.”

Of the multiple sectors he has ventured into, none tested him more than energy. Breaking into the oil and gas industry as a young entrepreneur meant confronting entrenched structures and formidable barriers to entry. Yet, despite its challenges, it remains the most rewarding. The sector’s scale of impact, the ability to transform economies, communities, and futures has made every struggle worth it.

Amid  success, Haske has remained grounded by discipline. Each day begins with quiet reflection and prayer, a reminder that his purpose extends beyond profit. He invests heavily in learning, drawing from global trends and leadership insights to sharpen his vision. And he stays close to his team, believing leadership is as much about listening and clarity as it is about strategy.

Behind the awards and milestones lies sacrifice. Missed family moments. Long nights. The surrender of comfort and privacy. “People often see the recognition and success,” he admits, “but what they don’t see are the sacrifices, the time, the energy, the personal comforts given up along the way.”Yet Haske views those sacrifices not with regret, but with conviction that they are the price of building something enduring.

In 2023, he was awarded the national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). For Haske, the recognition was humbling. More than a personal milestone, he saw it as validation of the collective effort of his team across multiple industries. But rather than resting on his laurels, the award only fueled his drive to do more, to push further, to amplify his impact.

For all his ventures, the achievement that brings him the most pride is the work of the ABH Foundation. Supporting widows, orphans, and families in need, the foundation embodies Haske’s belief that true success is measured in lives touched, not just profit earned.

Seeing young men and women who once started with nothing grow into confident professionals and entrepreneurs gives him a sense of fulfillment no business deal could rival. For Haske, those human stories, the restoration of hope, the creation of opportunity are the legacies that matter most.

From Ganye to global recognition, Haske’s journey is far from over. Yet even now, he is clear about how he wishes to be remembered. Not just for the businesses he built, but for the doors he opened. Not only for the profits earned, but for the opportunities created.

“I’d like my life  to reflect service to God, to my family, to my people, and to the generations that will come after me,” he says. It is a fitting ambition for a man whose life has been defined by audacity, anchored in resilience, and guided by a purpose greater than himself.

QUOTE

“Amid success, Haske has remained grounded by discipline. Each day begins with quiet reflection and prayer, a reminder that his purpose extends beyond profit. He invests heavily in learning, drawing from global trends and leadership insights to sharpen his vision. And he stays close to his team, believing leadership is as much about listening and clarity as it is about strategy.”