The immediate past Student Government Association (SGA) President, Mohammad Bashir Zakari, a senior majoring in Information Systems at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), has reflected on his leadership journey, campus experience, and future ambitions as he prepares to graduate from the institution on May 9.
Mr. Zakari described his time at the university as a formative period defined by leadership development, cultural diversity, and exposure to entrepreneurial thinking within a liberal arts environment.He noted that AUN’s student-centered model played a significant role in shaping his worldview and leadership approach.
Having previously served as a Senator before his tenure as SGA President, he emphasized that student leadership at AUN requires adaptability, collaboration, and a strong sense of responsibility to the campus community. “Honestly, it has been a wonderful environment,” he said. “The exposure, diversity, and opportunities for engagement have shaped me significantly as a leader and as an individual.”
While celebrating AUN’s many strengths, he also highlighted facility maintenance as an area where continued innovation and partnership has further elevate the student experience. He observed that the best results come when administrative teams and students work together, embracing shared responsibility for the campus infrastructure they all value.
He expressed optimism about advancing service delivery through enhanced communication and accountability systems that celebrate the strong collaboration already existing between students and administrative units. “Transparency, accountability, and effective communication empower every student,” he said. “Introducing a system where students can follow their requests from submission to resolution would further build on the trust we share and make campus services even more efficient and student-friendly.”
Beyond campus governance, Zakari outlined his post-graduation plans, which reflect a growing interest in entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and long-term engagement in both business and public leadership. Although he has aspirations in politics, he stated that he intends to first build substantial professional and financial experience before entering the political space. “The political environment requires strong financial and experiential grounding,” he said. “In the next five to ten years, I may consider that path.”
In the immediate term, he plans to expand his business portfolio through Aliki Global, a company engaged in automobile trading, real estate, and contract services. He also revealed plans to venture into agriculture, particularly livestock and crop production, while maintaining active involvement in technology-driven initiatives alongside peers in software engineering and data science.
Reflecting on his growth at AUN, he credited the university’s liberal arts philosophy and emphasis on experiential learning for broadening his perspective and introducing him to entrepreneurship and cross-disciplinary collaboration. “Before AUN, my life was largely structured around a military-oriented path,” he said. “But here, I was exposed to new ideas, met people from diverse backgrounds, and developed an interest in business, leadership, and collaboration”.
He added that engagement with students from across Nigeria helped him build meaningful relationships and deepen his appreciation for unity in diversity, a core value within the AUN community.
As he transitions from student leadership to alumni status, Zakari expressed optimism about the future, noting that his experience at AUN has equipped him with foundational skills in leadership, innovation, and community engagement.
Among his contributions to campus development, he highlighted the establishment of the outdoor lawn tennis court and the SGA Hut as part of his leadership legacy within the student government system. He leaves AUN with a commitment to continue applying the principles of service, entrepreneurship, and leadership cultivated during his time at the university.
Reported by John Abah