At the American University of Nigeria Graduation Award Night held on Friday May 8, 2026, one of the most inspiring moments came during the student reflection session—a key part of the award night activities—where graduating students shared personal accounts of their university journeys ahead of commencement.
Held on the eve of commencement, the Award Night traditionally recognizes academic excellence, student achievement and students’ reflections on their journeys, challenges, and transformations before formally crossing the graduation stage.
Among the most compelling voices of the evening was Rifkatu Solomon, one of the Chibok girls and a graduating student of Communications and Multimedia Design described her return to education as a defining turning point in her life. She spoke of the years of interruption that once separated her from the classroom, and the opportunity that allowed her to begin again at AUN.
She expressed gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the intervention that made her education possible, describing it not merely as financial support, but as a restoration of dignity and hope. “This intervention was more than a scholarship; it is a second chance. You restored our hope when the world felt silent,” she said.
For Rifkatu, the American University of Nigeria became more than an academic institution. She described it as a “sanctuary of learning and relearning,” where she gradually transitioned from fear to confidence, and from uncertainty to purpose. She credited the university’s holistic academic environment and student support systems with helping her rebuild not just her education, but her sense of identity and direction.
Her reflection, however, extended beyond personal experience. It became a message directed at young women facing adversity across different communities and contexts. Speaking with quiet conviction, she urged them not to be limited by circumstances beyond their control. “Your background does not determine your destiny. Your dreams are valid; keep pursuing them,” she said.
The reflections during the Award Night served as a reminder that behind every cap and gown is a story shaped by struggle, perseverance, and transformation. For Rifkatu Solomon, that story is not only about overcoming the past, but about using education as a pathway to possibility—and a voice for others still on their journey.
By Halima Abdulazeez Muhammad