Three law students at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) have helped local children stay in school by sponsoring tuition and providing essential learning materials to primary and secondary school pupils in Yola.
The outreach, held on October 7, was led by senior student Hadiza Sa’id Ahmed and junior students Helga Nagombe Wabina and Sarah Takim Aqabi. The students provided school uniforms, bags, exercise books, pens, and pencils, as well as full tuition sponsorship for the beneficiaries.
For Wabina, the effort reflects a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and those who can help should do so. “Education is a right, and everyone is entitled to it, children, students, and the people around us. There should be equality in the community. Because I am human and I am blessed to have resources, I believe we should give to others. For every little thing we share, those who lack will truly appreciate it,” she said.
Beyond providing school supplies and paying tuition, Wabina said the students hoped to ease the pressure on families and give children a better chance to pursue their education. “The real impact is helping children go to school to learn while bringing joy to their parents.
This opportunity is something they will not take for granted because it doesn't come easily. Without people willing to step up in society, many of these kids wouldn't be in school,” she said.
Their effort is part of AUN’s broader community-service program, which works to enroll out-of-school children and help them continue their education. Although the program targets 70 enrollments each semester, it retained 127 children in the previous semester and has already recorded 85 enrollments in the current term.
The progress of some beneficiaries shows what sustained support can make possible. Some have advanced from Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1) to university graduation, illustrating how access to education can create opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.
Ahmed Alhaji Aliyu, AUN’s Director of Community Service, said the students’ outreach reflects the university’s commitment to making a practical difference in the communities around it. “We are gradually contributing the little we can to reduce the number of out-of-school kids in society. If you ask me, there's no better mission for AUN than being here and impacting the community. The impact is far beyond what we can imagine,” Aliyu said.
Reported by Hyellazira Emmanuella Adamu