Yola, Nigeria: The American University of Nigeria, Yola is announcing the forthcoming departure of its Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof Paul Vita, who is set to take up the position of Dean at the Texas Tech University’s 38,000-student Costa Rica campus.
An accomplished leader in international higher education, Dr. Vita will be joining Texas Tech’s premier Central American campus with more than three decades of global academic, administrative, and strategic experience.
In confirming the provost’s transition, the University’s Management assured the community that an interim Provost will soon be named to continue Professor Vita's excellent work while the university prepares to welcome students for the Fall 2026 semester.
As Chief Academic Officer overseeing AUN’s seven schools and key academic divisions, Professor Vita, who took over from Interim Provost Dr. Adewale James in November, 2024, spearheaded major policy modernizations, faculty promotion reforms, and successful NUC accreditation visits for new graduate programs in Law, Engineering, and Economics. His tenure was marked by a commitment to academic excellence, expanding research in healthcare and entrepreneurship, and establishing AUN's AI Ethics Committee to guide responsible technology adoption.
He also delivered landmark motivational speeches at major campus events, including the Keynote address at the American University Founders Day in 2019.
Dr. Vita previously served as Director, Academic Dean, and VP/CEO at Saint Louis University – Madrid Campus (SLU-Madrid). In his tenure, he led the expansion and growth of SLU-Madrid, making it one of the most prestigious U.S. degree-granting branches abroad with the development of twelve new degree programs, increased enrollment by more than 200%, and substantial campus renovations. Additionally, he served as the founding Vice-Chancellor and President of James Hope University in Lagos, Nigeria, where he led the charge in establishing its academic and administrative infrastructure and operations.
Dr. Vita is an alum of Yale University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He completed his Masters, M.Phil., and Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, and he continued his studies at Oxford University.
As a bi-cultural Spanish-American, Dr. Vita understands the unique needs of American students in the unique environment of Costa Rica, where English is the primary language of instruction.
Dr. Vita spoke of his feelings about leaving Nigeria, hopefully, not for the last time:
“Serving as Provost at the American University of Nigeria has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional journey. Working with the outstanding faculty, staff, and student body, who have been committed to driving the development of Africa, has been truly remarkable. While I am excited about this new chapter at Texas Tech University Costa Rica, I will sorely miss the amazing AUN family and am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.
"AUN has inspired and transformed me -- it's an institution that's impacting the region and the world. I'm proud to have been part of this community, and deeply grateful to President Frazier for his leadership, trust, and friendship."
President/Vice Chancellor of AUN, Professor DeWayne Frazier expressed his gratitude and support for Dr. Vita’s forthcoming elevation while acknowledging the pain of his departure.
“We are deeply saddened by Prof. Paul Vita’s pending departure as the Provost of the American University of Nigeria. His outstanding academic leadership, innovative initiatives, and dynamic vision will be profoundly missed. Throughout his tenure, Paul has guided and inspired our academic programs and personnel at AUN, serving as a mentor, scholar, and leader. We are losing a strong advocate for American education and a wonderful friend, but, we are, however, genuinely delighted that Texas Tech University Costa Rica will be the recipient of his talents and leadership.”
Founded in 2003 by former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State, is Africa’s first "Development University" and the first American-style tertiary institution south of the Sahara. Dedicated to fostering critical thinking, local solution-building, and global leadership, AUN offers U.S.-modeled undergraduate and graduate programs focused on addressing complex societal challenges through entrepreneurship, technology, and sustainable development.
Yusuf Mohammed
ED Marketing & Communications