Hadiza Yusuf

Hadiza Yusuf: Everyone has something to give in their own little space

Woman sits on a red chair smiling to camera

Akoben: Stories of Impact.

Tales of Courage is a series that speaks about the power of education as a tool for transformative change in the world. They are told through the lens of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni. From Carnegie Mellon University Africa, here is Hadiza’s story.

Hadiza was born in a remote community in Adamawa state, Nigeria, with people from all over the country.

Her parents never had a formal education, but her mother was especially determined to ensure her children went to school. Her mother’s vision, resilience, and sacrifices to provide an education for her children served as a motivation for Hadiza.

While on a high school field trip to the National Mathematics Center in Abuja, Hadiza fell in love with math and sought to study it at the highest level. Fueled by her passion, she applied for scholarships in the UK, the US, and other countries for her master’s. After her undergraduate studies, she came across other young people passionate about giving back to their communities and actively applying for scholarships. Their interactions brought them into contact with current students, one of whom was a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at CMU-Africa. Hadiza was encouraged to apply and was selected for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa.

“Studying at CMU-Africa has been challenging and inspiring; being in the space with students all over Africa and well-experienced, skilled and well-educated faculty. It’s been interesting being able to learn from the best.”

Hadiza encourages prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program applicants not to doubt themselves and believes that everyone has something to give in their own little space.

Hadiza at the Future Leaders Climate Summit in Miami during her first year at CMU

Education brings awareness the things around us – problems that we can pick up and see as challenges and use it as an opportunity to make impact. It’s a big tool for transformation and change.

Hadiza is proud of how far she has come and counts her greatest achievement as being able to break barriers. Growing up in a community where many did not have the chance to attend school, the thought of having an education abroad seemed unattainable. Hadiza is motivated by the unique opportunity she has been given as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar. As far as she is concerned, the sky is the limit.

Hadiza while working with Research Group Support Staff at UAV Competition

“There is a saying that education is one of the things that brings full awareness to people. They say that ignorance is a disease and a killer. Education brings awareness the things around us – problems that we can pick up and see as challenges and use it as an opportunity to make impact. It’s a big tool for transformation and change.”

Hadiza is optimistic about the numerous opportunities on the African continent and encourages African youth to look inward as transformers of the continent. She views the current problems as opportunities that, if solved, can lead to great innovations.