Yola, Adamawa State, 8th August, 2026
The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has announced the appointment of three distinguished scholars to key interim academic leadership positions as the University strengthens its academic administration ahead of the Fall 2026 semester.
Professor Bolade Oyeyinka Agboola has been appointed Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Yusuf Aboki has been appointed Interim Dean of the School of Law, and Dr. Agatha Ada Ukata has been named Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
The appointments follow the departure of the University's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Paul Vita, who recently accepted the position of Dean of Texas Tech University Costa Rica. The appointments underscore AUN's commitment to ensuring continuity in academic leadership while advancing its mission of delivering world-class, American-style higher education.
Professor Agboola joined AUN in 2011 and is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry with extensive experience in teaching, research, curriculum development, and academic administration. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical-Inorganic Chemistry from Rhodes University after completing his bachelor's and master's degrees in Chemistry at the University of Ibadan.
Over the past 15 years, Professor Agboola has served in several strategic leadership roles, including Chair of the Department of Petroleum Chemistry, Interim Dean of the School of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. During his tenure as Dean, he successfully led the School through National Universities Commission (NUC) postgraduate resource verification and full reaccreditation while providing leadership in academic quality assurance, curriculum development, faculty governance, and institutional policy. A prolific scholar, he has published more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, supervised numerous postgraduate students, and received the AUN Outstanding Faculty Award.
Professor Aboki, one of Nigeria's most accomplished legal scholars, brings more than four decades of experience in legal education, research, and university administration. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Harvard Law School, and the University of Wisconsin Law School, he has held several senior academic leadership positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law at Ahmadu Bello University.
Throughout his career, Professor Aboki has supervised dozens of postgraduate researchers, published extensively on constitutional law, land law, legal education, and governance, and served on several national legal and academic bodies.
Dr. Ukata joined AUN in 2010 and has served as Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature since 2018. She earned her Ph.D. in African Literature from the University of the Witwatersrand after completing both her bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Calabar.
Under her leadership, the Department secured full NUC reaccreditation and approval to offer graduate programs. She has also served on the University Senate and several curriculum committees, contributing to academic planning, faculty development, student mentorship, institutional partnerships, and community engagement initiatives. Before her appointment as Interim Dean, she served as Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Announcing the appointments, AUN President Professor DeWayne Frazier expressed full confidence in the University's interim academic leadership team. "Both Professor Agboola, Prof. Aboki and Dr. Ukata have my highest level of confidence. They have demonstrated long-term dedication to AUN, excellence as classroom teachers and academic leaders, and the highest standards of integrity and moral character. I am confident they will serve the University with distinction in these important interim roles," President Frazier said.
President Frazier also announced that the University will immediately commence an international search for a permanent Provost and Dean of the School of Law, giving priority to candidates with substantial experience in the American higher education system.
The interim appointments take effect immediately as AUN prepares to welcome students for the Fall 2026 semester, reaffirming the University's commitment to academic excellence, institutional stability, and the preparation of ethical leaders equipped to address the challenges of Africa and the world.
Yusuf Mohammed
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