Former Vice President and founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has once again underlined his firm belief in the transformative power of education for both individuals and society.
Speaking to the graduating class of 2025 at AUN, Atiku reflected on the challenges that shaped his early life and educational journey. In his words, “My father was jailed for resisting my enrollment in school.”
He painted a vivid picture of his modest beginnings, recounting how he and other children learned without basic materials. “We started from nothing — sitting on the bare ground, writing with our fingers. That’s how far I’ve come,” he recalled.
Although those hardships left a lasting impression on him, Atiku clarified that the inspiration behind establishing AUN wasn’t solely rooted in his childhood struggles but was deeply influenced by his interaction with members of the American Peace Corps. “The AUN story is different. It was the American Peace Corps who taught me in 1961 that truly ignited the vision,” he explained.
During his address, the former Vice President also touched on the importance of resilience, courage, and patience when navigating life’s difficulties. “I’ve faced tribulations. I’ve been hunted, but I never wavered,” Atiku said. He added, “Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise.”
Recalling his involvement in Nigeria’s political history, Atiku shared how, during the era of military rule, he was offered a governorship seat without an election, a proposal he firmly rejected. “When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship without an election. I rejected it. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became Vice President,” he said.
He also spoke about the strength of his mentor, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, whose bravery remained unshaken even in the face of death. “His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier. That’s courage,” Atiku remarked.
Perhaps one of the most harrowing stories he shared was of surviving an assassination attempt in Kaduna. “I hid my wife and children in a wardrobe and stepped forward to confront the attackers. They shot at me but missed. I stood up and demanded, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like,” he recounted.
To the graduating students, especially those aiming to become entrepreneurs, Atiku offered words of wisdom drawn from his personal experiences. “Build with integrity. Keep your business independent. Don’t rely on government. Avoid unnecessary confrontation, but never compromise your values.”
