The valedictorian of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Class of 2026, Ubaidatu Hammantukur Yettisuri, delivered a deeply emotional and inspiring address during the university’s commencement ceremony held on May 9, 2026. Her speech reflected themes of grief, resilience, leadership, and the essence of community.
Addressing graduates, parents, faculty members, and distinguished guests, Ubaidatu described her journey at AUN as one marked by pressure, uncertainty, and personal struggles, while emphasizing the strength that comes from perseverance and compassion. “Today we are seated here not because the journey was easy, but because we survived it,” she said. “We survived the fear of failing, the fear of not fitting in, and the fear of not being good enough.”
Her address took a deeply emotional turn as she recounted the tragic loss of both parents within a short period during her final year at the university. She revealed that on January 13, 2025, she received news of her mother’s passing, while her father had just undergone surgery. “It was one of the darkest moments of my life,” she told the audience. “A moment filled with grief, fear, and uncertainty.”
Ubaidatu commended the support she received from the AUN community during this difficult period, particularly acknowledging AUN President Dr. DeWayne Frazier, Provost Dr. Paul Vita, faculty members, and students who visited her family home to offer condolences. “They did not come because they had to,” she said. “They came because they cared.”
She noted that the experience reshaped her understanding of the institution and reinforced her late father’s belief in its values. “He once told me that AUN is not merely an institution, but an educational community grounded in humility.”
The valedictorian also highlighted a moment of compassion from Dr. Obinna Chris Dike during the university’s Honor Society Banquet, where he comforted her after noticing she was seated alone while others celebrated with their parents. “He told me I should not worry because my parents were proud of me wherever they are,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Speaking to her fellow graduates, Ubaidatu urged them not to be overwhelmed by societal pressure but to allow it to shape them positively. “We all carry pressure,” she said. “Pressure to succeed, to make our parents proud, and to figure out who we are meant to be. But we should let it shape us, not crush us.”
She further encouraged graduates to focus not only on titles and achievements, but on character and impact. “One day, no one will ask what my CGPA was,” she said. “But they will remember how I treated people, what I built, and whether I had the courage to try again after failure.”
The speech concluded with appreciation to the university’s founder, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Board of Trustees, university management, faculty members, parents, and guardians for their support throughout the students’ academic journey.
In a symbolic closing remark inspired by her legal studies background, she humorously presented the graduating class as a case before a court.
“Having carefully examined the evidence before us, this court finds that the graduating class of 2026 has endured pressure, uncertainty, failures, disappointment, and battles many people will never fully understand,” she declared. “And on this note, we find them not guilty and hereby allow them to graduate.”
Her address earned a standing ovation and emerged as one of the defining moments of the 2026 AUN commencement ceremony.
Report by Pwagreno Blessing Moris