History

The American University of Nigeria was founded by the former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, in his hometown of Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria. After establishing ABTI Academy, now known as AUN Academy, in 2002, His Excellency sought guidance from American University in Washington DC to create an American-style university. This institution was granted a license as ABTI University in 2003, and construction commenced in October 2004 on land gifted by the 11th Lamido of Adamawa State, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Musdafa. Renamed as the American University of Nigeria, it started with a prestigious international Board of Trustees, with members like Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa, Professor Robert Pastor from American University, former U.S. Defence Secretary Robert McNamara, and a host of eminent personalities. The inaugural batch of students, totaling 124, enrolled in the fall of 2005/Spring 2006. The first AUN President was Dr. David Huwiler, while the incumbent is Dr. DeWayne Preston Frazier, with all AUN Presidents being American nationals. Alhaji Ahmed Joda was the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees; the second was Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun while the incumbent is High Chief Senator Ben Obi, CON.

From its inception, the university was envisioned to focus on development issues and provide an education that combines content and pedagogy reflecting the finest practices of US institutions. Initially comprising three schools: Arts & Sciences, Business & Entrepreneurship, and IT and Computing, AUN has since established new Schools of Law and Engineering, broadening its academic programs and student enrollment. In 2007, it was renamed the American University of Nigeria and celebrated the graduation of its inaugural class of 92 students in 2009. Subsequent classes have consistently graduated as scheduled.

The University occupies over 2,500 acres of land. Accredited by Nigeria’s National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2008, it has maintained its accreditation status ever since. AUN is committed to full international accreditation for all programs. In 2012, AUN launched its inaugural postgraduate program, an Executive Master's in Information Technology. Subsequently, the NUC has approved additional postgraduate programs, including Ph.D. courses in ICT, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Arts and Sciences. The University also presently offers a hybrid MBA, a communication program in partnership with UNICEF, and a Professional Master's in ICT. From inception, AUN has provided a 24-hour/day high-speed Internet connection, unique in Nigeria. In 2014, it opened the new Robert A. Pastor Library and E-Learning Center, home of its award-winning e-library.