Alhaji Gujja Attom, head of Baram Nigeria, died in the evening of 28 June. His son, Theo Attom Yahya, is expected to succeed him.
The businessman’s death comes as Baram International Nigeria and its investment arm Baram Investment Nigeria are assisting Chinese giant Norinco with a major heavy arms consignment for the Nigerian Army.
Baram itself is being seconded by its Nigerian partner, Sec Pro Africa, which has charge of the logistics and after-sales service the contract appears to mark a phase of closer military cooperation between Nigeria and China, which Attom had been working to bring about over the last 10 years.
Alhaji Attom was a close supporter of Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari. He was a sponsor and benefactor of the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group, which financed Buhari’s presidential election campaigns in 2015 and 2019.
He had developed Baram’s role in the defence sector through Baram International and Oraco Trade Link, but also built up its activities in construction and agri-foods. The group has livestock interests and food processing plants. Attom was also head of Dubai-registered agricultural exports company Amit Trading, which is established in India.
