On November 30, 2024, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) celebrated its 16th Founder's Day and also marked two decades of dedication to academic and societal excellence. The event featured an inspiring address from the University's President, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, who reflected on the institution's remarkable journey since its founding.
He acknowledged the crucial contributions of stakeholders in shaping the university's trajectory, taking pride in AUN's recent recognition as one of Africa's top 12 universities and the leading institution in Nigeria by Times Higher Education (THE). He attributed these accomplishments to the dedication and hard work of the entire AUN community. "The Founder's dream is being realized every day," he emphasized, highlighting AUN's impact on the lives of students and communities.
In recounting the university's origins, the President spoke of the vision of its founder, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, and a dedicated team of visionaries who laid the foundation for Africa's first development university. "Over 20 years ago, our founder had the audacity to dream big and establish a cornerstone here in Yola that has become a beacon of excellence across Africa," he remarked.
He also recognized the significance of influential figures such as Robert Pastor, an esteemed U.S. Presidential nominee and former National Security Council member, whose contributions were instrumental in shaping the institution's development. The President noted that the university's library, named in Pastor's honor, is a testament to the valuable partnerships that continue to enrich AUN.
The President also unveiled the AUN Impact Stories & This AUN Believes II, a publication documenting the university's history through narratives from its inception to the present. "While reading the books, I was reminded of our founder's bold decision to build the university here in Yola," he reflected.
Reaffirming AUN's commitment to its core values of excellence and development, the President underscored the university's unique mission. "We are not like any other institution. We are a development university, the first of its kind," he asserted. "From the very beginning, we have been educating leaders who are shaping the future."
Dr. Dewayne called for continued dedication to the university's mission, ensuring that the next 20 years will be even more impactful.
Reported by Pwagreno Blessing Moris