Recently, the story of who graduated after an 11-year academic journey at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, resonated with many. His experience highlights the often-unseen struggles students face and the power of perseverance. We had a conversation with him to understand his story, the challenges he overcame, and the lessons he learned along the way.
TNENews: Could you please introduce yourself — your name, state of origin, and a bit about your background?
HASSAN: My name is Hassan Abdullahi. I was born and bred in Dawakin Kudu Local Government of Kano State. I am Hausa by tribe and a Muslim by religion.
TNENews: You recently graduated from Ahmadu Bello University after an 11-year journey. Can you walk us through how it all started back in 2013?
HASSAN: Yes, I graduated from ABU Zaria after 11 years of trials and tribulations, ups and downs, obstacles, and different academic challenges. It was a journey full of promises but lacked guidance and orientation.
I was admitted into the university as a U13GEOLOGY student, and to be honest, I didn’t even know what Geology was all about. I chose it without knowing whether it was a perfect fit for me or not, and unfortunately, I didn’t realize that until I was in my final year. My results were terrible, with more carryovers than you can imagine.
I sat down, thought through it, and made all the possible calculations. I realized that no matter how many years I spent in Geology, I would never graduate because I didn’t understand the departmental courses and still had issues with courses from other departments. At that point, I decided to find a solution. My options were to drop out, write a new JAMB, or change my course of study. I chose the last option and switched to the Geography Department.
TNENews: After deciding to start all over again, how did your parents and family react?
HASSAN: After making that decision, it was tough for me. I couldn’t even face my dad with the story because he was expecting me to bring the NYSC news, and all of a sudden I hit him with the news of my switch. I couldn’t do it face to face, so I did it through WhatsApp. God, it was hell for me. My parents were angry to the extent that they said they didn’t trust me anymore and couldn’t invest in my education again.
Some family members started spreading rumours that I was a spoiled brat and had been withdrawn from school. Neighbours started calling me a “dropout” and all of that. I was angry, sad, and depressed, but I said to myself that I had to do it no matter what. I had to bring this certificate back home.
So I started working so hard. By God’s kindness, I was enrolled in the N-POWER program during the late President Buhari’s tenure, so I was using the salary to pay my school fees. It was also during that period that my graphics design business started to take off. I have been using my graphic design skills as financial assistance that helped me through tough times. In short, I found a way to sponsor myself back to academics.
Since then, I have been working hard, to the extent that even people who wanted to see me fail started admiring my resilience, hard work, and dedication. I have channeled so much energy into making sure that I succeeded and also used all the negativity to make a positive impact in my local community. Those that know me or follow me on social media, especially Facebook, will see the kind of work I have been doing.
Above all, Allah blessed me with friends that became my pillars in every aspect. They took over and started paying my school fees. Sometimes I would just wake up with credit alerts on my phone, and it was from them. Those friends became everything in my life, and I will never forget them.
At the end of the day, my parents backed me once again. During that period, I became so close to my dad to the extent that he trusted me the most.
Unfortunately, he battled with blood cancer and lost the battle after two years. May Allah SWT grant him Jannah. I am sad that he’s not here to see this, but I know if he were here, he would be proud.
TNENews: Did you change your course of study because of academic performance or out of passion?
As I mentioned, it was due to poor academic performance. I switched from U13GEOLOGY to U18GEOGRAPHY.
TNENews: During this long journey, what was your lowest point, and what motivated you to keep going despite the challenges?
HASSAN: My lowest point was when my family abandoned me and saw me as a failure. What kept me going was my faith in Allah. As a Muslim, I believe that everything that happens to you happens for a reason and Allah will not test you beyond your capacity. So I prayed to Him to guide me through and help me pass this test, and He did.
Again, I used to remember a verse from the Quran that says, “Fa inna ma’al ‘usri yusra,” meaning, “Verily, with hardship, there is relief.” So I believed no matter how long it took, one day it would all be history, and here we are, Alhamdulillah.
This all happened at a time when suicide was becoming rampant in ABU Zaria, and I even lost a friend who took her own life due to poor academic performance. Alhamdulillah, for me personally, I never thought of that because I love life and I believe that one day, In Sha Allah, I will enjoy this temporary world before I leave. So, why the rush?
TNENews: Aside from your degree, what other knowledge or skills did you acquire during this period?
HASSAN:I am actually very good with computers. To be specific, I am a professional Graphic Designer and Printer. This is the skill that carried me along and is still carrying me now. I design and print on all surfaces, and I am still working to see that my business expands. People can check me out on Instagram @tinted_graphix.
TNENews: Recently, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University took his life over academic struggles. Since you faced similar challenges and overcame them, what advice would you give to students in such situations, and what message would you share with their parents and families?
HASSAN: The main reason why I shared my story is to encourage people going through the same situation that SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION. I believe in both Christianity and Islam, it’s completely not permissible to commit suicide. I would like to advise people that are going through this situation of academic challenges to talk to someone, as I gladly used to do.
Even when I transferred to Geography, I met a lot of students who did the same. As I was kind of the oldest among them, I would sit with them and share my story, and they would be like, “WOW!” They thought they had stayed long, but I stayed longer than them. I told them the whole world is temporary, nothing good comes easy, and whatever happens to you is part of your destiny and you can’t change that. The only thing you can do is to pray to God to guide you. So, I am open to people; I made a lot of friends along the way.
To the parents, please let your kids choose the course of their choice and also be reaching out to them to see how they are doing. Talk to your kids, because sometimes people hide a lot of pain behind a smile, but if you talk deeply with them, you will understand.
TNENews: If you could sum up your philosophy on failure in one word, what would it be?
Hassan: All I can say is that FAILURE is a TEACHER. When you fail, you learn.
TNENews: Based on your experience, how can students and parents work together to choose courses that align with the student’s passion without forcing unsuitable choices?
HASSAN: By talking to and monitoring your kids’ activities. Some parents don’t really care about their kids when it comes to school; they only pay school fees and pocket money without checking how they are doing in school. So parents need to create that relationship. Right from the secondary school level, you will understand what your kid wants and how you can help them.
TNENews: What changes would you like to see in Nigeria’s tertiary education system to better support students going through prolonged or difficult academic journeys?
HASSAN: Universities need to come up with summer courses, just like Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is doing. This is where students with one to three carryovers will not have to wait for a whole new year to rectify them. I think it will help a lot. Also, Guidance and Counselling Departments need to be very active.
