American University of Nigeria

American University of Nigeria has set aside the sum of 120 million naira to support this year’s scholarship scheme. This is amazing, awesome, interesting and the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa – where an academic institution will be offering awards ranging in such an amount. I have no doubt in my mind as I write this blog therefore that AUN is fast propelling towards its vision of becoming the light of Africa.

There are certainly a lot of things interesting about AUN and I wish to share my own insight and experience on this. First of all, when I joined AUN in 2008, there was nothing like scholarship exams! Scholarships were awarded on geopolitical factors base on performance in preceding assessments which are also used for recruitment. I was not lucky enough to get one because I did not have an amazing WAEC result. When I saw the fees for the school, it appeared to me that my both parents will use all their life savings to sponsor me to university. My father had just retired from a company job where he was paid all his entitlements so the dream looked close to reality then. But it wasn’t actually. But I never succumb to the fear of impossibility. I was determined within me to explore the first American University in Nigeria. I was thinking in my mind how I will make use of the extra ordinary resources and services at AUN, and all my thoughts were filled with the thought of excelling in college. To cut the supposed long story shorter, I saw myself in AUN doing things like never before. Here I discover my talent and I received the best training I never imagined. I am thankful to God and my parents for bringing my dream of those days into fruition. I am particularly most thankful to my sister who always made me understood that it is possible.

I have therefore always been inspired to use my story to motivate young people out there. I have interacted with people over time who expressed overweening interest in AUN but said, “I can’t come because I don’t have the money.” The scholarship exams which has just been initiated is another golden opportunity for you to make use of your dream. With AUN scholarship, you can have everything paid for, including accommodation and feeding throughout your expected years of stay in school. Be wise, Be smart, Be always ready to achieve your dreams. Nothing is impossible.

Dotun Ogundare – olasunkanmi.ogundare@aun.edu.ng