The Federal Government of Nigeria has described the American University of Nigeria (AUN) as a shining example of how higher education can drive national development, restore hope, and prepare young Africans for global relevance.
Speaking at the University’s 17th Commencement Ceremony in Yola on Saturday May 9th 2026, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, praised AUN for consistently delivering what he described as “quiet excellence” , excellence rooted not in publicity, but in measurable impact.
Delivering the Vice President’s goodwill message on behalf of the Federal Government, Prof. Ribadu said AUN has evolved beyond the status of a private university into “a continental reference point” for values-based education capable of responding to African realities while shaping African futures.
“There is the kind of excellence that constantly announces itself,” the Vice President noted in the address, “and then there is the kind that simply produces outcomes, year after year, with consistency and without apology. The American University of Nigeria belongs to the second category.”
The remarks underscored the growing national recognition of AUN’s role in redefining higher education in Nigeria through innovation, leadership development, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and technology-driven learning.
A major highlight of the Vice President’s message was the recognition of AUN’s long-standing commitment to the education and rehabilitation of the Chibok girls. This year’s commencement ceremony marked the graduation of twelve additional young women from Chibok , a milestone the administration described as far more than symbolic.
Referencing the global outrage that followed the 2014 abduction of the schoolgirls, the Vice President said AUN’s decision to educate and empower the survivors represents “an act of institutional faith” and a model that universities across Nigeria should emulate.
“What AUN has done is not charity,” the statement read. “It is a declaration that no young woman’s life should be permanently defined by the violence done to her past.”
The administration further described the Chibok Scholarship Programme as proof that education can serve not only as a tool for learning, but also as a strategy for healing, security, and national rebuilding.
Emphasizing the broader impact of AUN education, the Vice President praised the institution for producing graduates equipped to confront modern challenges with both competence and character. He noted that, at a time when Nigeria faces rapid technological transformation and increasing global competition, universities must move beyond theoretical instruction and embrace industry-responsive education.
The address also drew attention to the country’s growing technology talent gap, urging stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector to ensure graduates possess the practical skills required in emerging industries.
The government specifically challenged AUN to expand its partnerships with technology companies, fintech firms, and innovation-driven sectors in order to strengthen employment pathways for students and accelerate curriculum innovation.
According to the Vice President, institutions like AUN are critical partners in implementing the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and the National EdTech Strategy , reforms designed to align Nigerian education with the demands of the 21st-century economy.
“The Federal Government needs institutions of AUN’s quality not merely as beneficiaries of reform, but as co-architects of it,” the message stated.
Addressing the graduating Class of 2026 directly, the Vice President challenged the students to deploy their education in service of Nigeria’s development rather than pursuing only personal advancement.
“Your education demands it. Your country needs it,” he told the graduates, urging them to apply their knowledge in technology, healthcare, agriculture, public service, research, and the creative industries.
The ceremony concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the administration’s confidence in the university’s mission and in the potential of its graduates to shape Nigeria’s future.