Atiku Abubakar Recounts Humble Beginnings, Defends Legacy at American University of Nigeria (AUN) Convocation
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, delivered a moving address to the graduating class of 2025 at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Friday, reflecting on his early struggles and the personal journey that inspired his commitment to education and democratic values.
In a heartfelt moment, Atiku revealed a lesser-known story about his upbringing, disclosing that his father was imprisoned for refusing to allow him to attend school. “My father was jailed for resisting my enrollment in school,” he said. “We started from nothing — sitting on the bare ground, writing with our fingers. That’s how far I’ve come.”
He used the moment to highlight the transformative power of education, urging the graduates to value their academic achievements and the opportunities before them. Atiku described AUN as a “world-class citadel of learning” and one of his proudest legacies—an institution designed not only to impart knowledge but also to shape future leaders of integrity, innovation, and resilience.
Clarifying the motivations behind founding the university, Atiku explained that AUN was not a direct response to his own childhood hardship, but rather the outcome of a vision sparked during his formative years. “The AUN story is different,” he said. “It was the American Peace Corps which taught me in 1961 that truly ignited the vision. They showed me what education could mean for a person, a community, and a nation.”
He also reflected on his political journey, reinforcing the value of patience, principle, and sacrifice. “Patience is not weakness—it is a weapon of the wise,” Atiku declared. “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.”
In an emotional tribute to his late mentor, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Atiku recounted how he learned courage and selflessness from the revered soldier and statesman.
“His blood pressure was normal on the day of his scheduled execution. That’s a soldier. That’s courage,” he said, lauding Yar’Adua’s composure and conviction even in the face of death.
Atiku concluded by encouraging the graduates to lead lives guided by values, vision, and service to others. “This university will outlive us all. It is not just bricks and books—it is a beacon of hope. May you go out and be the change that Nigeria, and the world, so desperately need.”