Newly admitted students at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, have been encouraged to make the most of their university experience by embracing learning, exploring new opportunities, and finding ways to serve their communities.
Speaking during the President's Welcome Session as part of the Fall 2026 Orientation on August 27, 2026, AUN President Prof. DeWayne Frazier described education as a transformative and “magical” experience that can shape lives and help young people develop solutions to the challenges around them.
Addressing the students at the session, President Frazier encouraged them not to be intimidated by the uncertainties that often come with starting university. In his characteristically light-hearted manner, he reminded them that challenges are part of the journey and can be faced and overcome..
He urged the freshmen to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at AUN and to approach their university years with an open mind.
President Frazier also spoke about AUN’s identity as a development university, describing it as the first and only development-focused university in Africa and the only American-style university in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said AUN was established not only to prepare young people to become leaders and develop innovative solutions to Nigeria’s challenges, but also to contribute to development and positive change, particularly in the Northeast.
He reminded the freshmen that being an AUN student comes with a responsibility to others, stressing that education should go hand in hand with service. He encouraged them to take part in community service and other initiatives that allow them to make a difference beyond the campus.
Also addressing the students, Student Government Association (SGA) President Yusuf Adam congratulated the freshmen on becoming part of the AUN community.
Adam noted that the students had arrived from different backgrounds and with different experiences, but now shared a common identity as Stallions.
He encouraged them not to worry about having their entire lives mapped out from the beginning.
Instead, he urged them to ask questions, try new things, volunteer and learn from people whose experiences and perspectives may differ from theirs.
“Do not just attend AUN; experience AUN,” he told the freshmen.
Adam encouraged the students to look beyond the classroom and take advantage of the many opportunities available on campus. He noted that some of their most meaningful memories at AUN could come from experiences outside their academic work.
He also urged them to pay attention to character and the kind of people they become, reminding them that while people may eventually forget their CGPA, they are more likely to remember how they treated others and the kind of person they were.
He assured the freshmen that the SGA would be available to support them as they settled into university life.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Sesugh Annger, welcomed the incoming students and assured them that AUN provides an environment where they can develop their ideas, talents and aspirations.
He said the university’s academic programmes, campus life, emphasis on accountability and community service, and developmental outreach initiatives are intended to prepare students not only as scholars, but also as responsible leaders and citizens.
“At AUN, you will find a community invested in seeing your dreams take form,” Annger said.
He told the freshmen that their ideas could grow through their experiences at AUN and that questions raised in classrooms in Yola could eventually lead to solutions with impact beyond the university and across Africa.
Dean Annger encouraged the students to think beyond their individual ambitions and consider how their education could contribute to the future of Nigeria and the continent. “As you leave home, know that here at AUN, you are wanted, you are welcome, and you are one of us,” he told the students.
For Muhammad Aliyu, a freshman studying Computer Science, the welcome event was a reassuring start to his university journey.
Aliyu described the experience as “amazing,” saying he was encouraged by the friendliness of the university president and the welcoming atmosphere on campus.
He said he was confident that AUN would provide the support and environment he needs to pursue his dreams and learn without being afraid of making mistakes.
For the freshmen, the welcome marked the beginning of a new chapter—one that university leaders and student representatives urged them to approach with curiosity, courage and a willingness to contribute.
As they begin life at AUN, the message was clear: their university experience should be about more than earning a degree. It should also be about discovering who they are, building meaningful relationships, developing strong character and finding ways to use what they learn to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.
Reported by Pwagreno Blessing Moris