Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigerian youth to embrace patience and courage as essential virtues for success in life during his address at the American University of Nigeria (AUN) graduation ceremony held in Yola on Saturday.

Speaking to the Class of 2025, Atiku, who founded the institution in 2003, shared personal experiences to illustrate how patience had shaped his own political journey.

"I've faced tribulations. Patience is not weakness. It is a weapon of the wise," Atiku told the graduates. "When we resisted military dictatorship, they offered me a governorship without an election — I rejected it. In 1999, I earned it the right way and became vice president."

The former Vice President described education as "the ultimate game changer," explaining that AUN was established to mould young people with the capacity to transform their world in pragmatic ways.

Dr. DeWayne Frazier, President (Vice Chancellor) of AUN, elaborated on the institution's mission during the ceremony, highlighting its American-style educational approach designed to prepare students for an ever-changing global landscape.

"Another unique feature of AUN and American-style education is the focus on entrepreneurship," Dr. Frazier noted in his address.

The graduation ceremony saw more than 200 students, primarily from undergraduate programs, formally completing their education at the Yola-based institution.

Since its establishment in 2003, AUN has maintained its commitment to providing comprehensive education that prepares students for future careers while emphasizing entrepreneurial skills and global competitiveness.