More than a decade after graduating from the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, Class of 2013, is extending the opportunities he gained through education to a new generation, committing to sponsor the full university education of two high-performing students from Adamawa State and pledging $10,000 to support student entrepreneurship and innovation at his alma mater.
The scholarship recipients are Aliyu Abubakar, who scored 346 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and has been offered admission to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Lydia Jonah Anthony, from Hong, who scored 297 and has been offered admission to study Law. Haske’s commitment covers their university education from enrolment through graduation, providing sustained financial support throughout their degree programmes.
The initiative reflects Haske’s belief that the value of education extends beyond personal achievement to the opportunities it creates for others. His experience at AUN, where learning is closely connected to service, leadership and social responsibility, has helped shape his commitment to supporting young people.
“AUN gave us more than a degree, it gave us an opportunity to dream, to grow and to become. If we have been fortunate enough to move forward, then we have a responsibility to help someone else move forward too. I hope this scholarship is not just a gift to these students, but a reminder to all of us that the greatest way to honour where we came from is to give someone else a chance to get where they are going,” Haske said.
Prof. DeWayne Frazier, AUN President praised Haske for translating the benefits of his university education into meaningful opportunities for young people in Adamawa State.
“Your commitment is a wonderful example of what it means for an AUN alumnus to give back, not only to your alma mater, but also to the young people of Adamawa State,” the President said. “You are demonstrating to our current students what we hope AUN graduates will do throughout their lives, succeed, remember where they came from, and use that success to create opportunities for others.”
Beyond the two scholarships, Haske has pledged an additional US$10,000 to support student entrepreneurship and innovation at AUN. The proposed fund is intended to help students develop ideas, test solutions and pursue ventures that address real-world challenges. Once implemented, the initiative could further extend the impact of education by helping students translate their knowledge and creativity into practical solutions.
The two commitments complement each other; the scholarships open the door to higher education for talented young people, while the proposed innovation fund is intended to help university students turn their knowledge and ideas into practical solutions. Together, they reflect AUN’s identity as a development university, where education goes beyond career preparation to cultivate entrepreneurship, ethical leadership and a commitment to addressing societal challenges.