Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his father was once jailed for opposing his enrolment in school as a child, stressing the importance of education in transforming lives.
Atiku, who is also the founder of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), made the disclosure during the university’s 2024 graduation ceremony held on Friday in Yola, Adamawa State.
A statement issued on Saturday by his media aide, Paul Ibe, quoted the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as saying, “My father was jailed for resisting my enrolment in school. We started from nothing — sitting on the bare ground, writing with our fingers. That’s how far I have come.”
Encouraging Nigerian youths to embrace education, Atiku noted that learning remains the most powerful tool for personal growth and national progress.
He described the American University of Nigeria as a “world-class citadel of learning” and a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Speaking on the inspiration behind establishing AUN, the former Vice President said it was not directly connected to his early struggles, but rather sparked by his encounter with the American Peace Corps in 1961.
“The AUN story is different. It was the American Peace Corps who taught me in 1961 that truly ignited the vision,” he said.
Atiku also reflected on his political journey and resilience, noting that he had faced many challenges but remained steadfast in his convictions.
“I have faced tribulations. I have been hunted, but I never wavered. Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise. 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 stated.
He urged young Nigerians to remain focused, resilient, and committed to their goals, noting that education holds the key to a better future.
