The Federal Government has described the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola as a centre of excellence that has consistently produced results and impacted lives across Afthe rican continents.
The AUN has also been commended for providing and sustaining quality education in Nigeria while producing graduates capable of competing globally.
Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima dropped the hint during the graduation ceremony of the 2026 class of the university held on Saturday in Yola, Adamawa State Capital.
The Vice President, was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu.
He said the university had distinguished itself not only as an American-style institution but as “a genuine continental university” rooted in African realities and committed to shaping the future of the continent through education.
According to him, the Federal Government appreciates the vision of the founder of the university, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as the university management and faculty members who have remained committed to academic excellence.
He emphasised that “American University of Nigeria belongs to the category of institutions that consistently produce outcomes and become one of the great institutions on African soil, deeply connected to African realities and the possibilities of the African future”.
Commenting on the rescued Chibok school girls, the Vice President particularly applauded the role played by the university in rehabilitating and educating, describing it as a “powerful demonstration of institutional compassion and faith in humanity”, adding their success story represented hope, resilience and victory over violence and despair.
“What AUN has done by opening its community to these young women, surrounding them with academic rigour and human care, and presenting them to the world with education and dignity is more than an educational achievement. It is an act of institutional faith,” he stated.
He added that no young woman’s future should be determined by violence or tragedy, stressing that the country remains proud of the girls for overcoming adversity through determination and hard work.
The Vice President further challenged universities across the country to emulate the example set by AUN in promoting inclusion, innovation and access to quality education.
He also noted that the Federal Government was reforming the nation’s educational sector to meet emerging realities in the world of work and higher education, especially in areas driven by technology and innovation.
Speaking earlier, the President of the university, Professor DeWayne Frazier, described the 2026 graduation ceremony as a celebration of leadership, resilience and the enduring power of education.
The university president became emotional while speaking about the graduation of the twelve Chibok school girls, describing the moment as a triumph of hope over fear and resilience over trauma.
“For many years the world cried, ‘Bring Back Our Girls.’ Today, we send our girls home educated, empowered and prepared for the future,” he said.
