The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has bid farewell to its Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Paul Vita, who is leaving the University to take up a new leadership role at Texas Tech University Costa Rica.
AUN held a farewell ceremony in Prof. Vita’s honor on August 13, 2026, at the 24-Hour Library, bringing together faculty, staff and members of the University community to celebrate his time at AUN and wish him well in his new role.
Prof. Vita’s appointment as Dean of Texas Tech University’s Costa Rica campus marks the latest step in a career that has included senior leadership positions in higher education in several countries.
At AUN, Prof. Vita played a key role in strengthening the University’s academic programs and systems. As Chief Academic Officer, he oversaw the University’s seven schools and key academic divisions and led efforts to modernize academic policies, reform faculty promotion processes and prepare for National Universities Commission accreditation visits for new graduate programs in Law, Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences.
He also supported research initiatives in healthcare and entrepreneurship and established AUN’s AI Ethics Committee to help guide the responsible use of emerging technologies.
At the farewell ceremony, faculty and staff spoke warmly about Prof. Vita’s approachable and caring nature, as well as his innovative approach to academic leadership. University President Professor DeWayne Frazier described him as a valued partner whose support had contributed to the University’s progress.
The Vice President of Administration and Registrar, Dr. Daniel Okereke, recalled how Prof. Vita encouraged him to develop his public-speaking abilities. As a parting gift, he presented Prof. Vita with two books, More Magic of Metaphor by Nick Owen and Start with Why by Simon Sinek.
Other members of the AUN community also shared personal experiences and expressed appreciation for Prof. Vita’s mentorship, accessibility and commitment to the University.
Reflecting on his time at AUN, Prof. Vita described his experience as one of the most fulfilling periods of his professional career. “Serving as Provost at the American University of Nigeria has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my professional journey,” he said, thanking the University’s faculty, staff and students for their commitment to the development of Africa.
He said he would miss the AUN community but was proud of what they had 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,” he added.
President Frazier thanked Prof. Vita for his service and congratulated him on his new appointment, while acknowledging that his departure would be felt across the University community. “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,” Frazier said.
Before joining AUN, Prof. Vita held senior positions in international higher education. He served as Director, Academic Dean and VP/CEO of Saint Louis University–Madrid Campus, where he led the introduction of 12 new degree programs, an increase in enrollment of more than 200 percent and substantial campus renovations. He later became the founding Vice-Chancellor and President of James Hope University in Lagos, where he led the development of its academic and administrative infrastructure.
While acknowledging the loss of an important member of AUN’s leadership team, President Frazier said the University was pleased that Texas Tech University Costa Rica would benefit from Prof. Vita’s experience and expertise.
As Prof. Vita begins his new role, AUN will continue building on the academic and institutional progress made during his tenure as the University prepares for the Fall 2026 semester.
Reported by John Abah