The Finance Department of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) convened a professional development retreat for its staff on January 13, 2026, to mark the start of the Spring semester. The program aimed to strengthen professional capacity, enhance institutional efficiency, and reinforce compliance with evolving regulatory standards.
Held at the American Space within the University Library under the theme “Leadership, Teamwork, and Vision,” the retreat focused on deepening leadership competencies, fostering collaboration, and aligning departmental operations with the University’s strategic goals.
In her opening remarks, Vice President for Finance Mrs. Nnenna Mosugu welcomed staff back from the Christmas break and wished them a productive year ahead. She urged the team to uphold high professional standards, stating, “We can’t afford to lower the standards.”
The retreat featured virtual presentations by distinguished former AUN Vice Presidents for Finance, Mr. Anthony Agbo and Mr. Olanipekun Olarenwaju.
Mr. Agbo addressed core principles of leadership, teamwork, and strategic vision, emphasizing integrity, trust, collaboration, and forward-thinking as foundations for financial excellence.
Mr. Olarenwaju shared insights on personal growth and leveraging artificial intelligence tools to optimize workflows.
A key session on regulatory compliance was delivered by Mr. Auwal Abdullahi from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). He provided a comprehensive overview of Nigeria's new tax laws, covering business registration, record-keeping, tax filing and payment procedures, statutory timelines, and penalties for non-compliance. Mr. Abdullahi stressed the importance of strict adherence to avoid legal and financial repercussions. This was followed by a presentation on personal skills management by the AUN Senior Director of Finance Mr. Ibrahim Damare,
The AUN Registrar and Vice President for Administration, Mr. Daniel Okereke commended the facilitators, particularly acknowledging Mr. Agbo’s continued engagement with contemporary financial and economic developments.
Participants described the retreat as timely and impactful. According to Mr. Samson Mshelia, Director of Student Records, “The retreat provided a valuable refresher on the core principles of leadership and followership. Most importantly, it helped us clearly define the pathways to earning and maintaining trust.”
Reported by John Abah