The American University of Nigeria (AUN) conferred degrees on 218 graduates during its 16th Commencement Ceremony, held at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Commencement Hall. The event marked a defining moment in the institution’s legacy of academic excellence and its mission to mold Africa’s next generation of ethical leaders and changemakers.
The ceremony celebrated 199 undergraduate and 19 graduate students, representing a milestone not only in academic achievement but also in character formation, civic engagement, and leadership development.
In his opening remarks, AUN President Dr. DeWayne Frazier called on the graduating class to pursue purpose over prestige. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Steve Jobs and Abraham Lincoln, he urged the students to follow their inner voice, remain grounded in their values, and commit to making the world a better place “one human at a time.” He urged the graduating students to carry forward the knowledge gained, along with the spirit of service and unity that defines the AUN legacy.
President Frazier also took a moment to honor the parents, guardians, and loved ones whose support had helped bring the graduates to this pivotal milestone. “No person is an island,” he reminded the audience, emphasizing that every achievement represented a collective effort.
Delivering a stirring keynote address, Brian Deaver, the 16th Commencement Speaker, cautioned against the complacency of mediocrity in his speech titled “The Danger of 'Good Enough.” Drawing on historical metaphors, personal anecdotes, and real-life examples, Devear urged the graduates to resist the temptation to settle.
“Graduation today was never the destination, but rather a mile marker to celebrate and acknowledge your achievements,” he began. “You didn’t come this far to be ‘good enough.’ You came to build something excellent, something lasting.”
Devear described “good enough” as a “quiet assassin of potential,” warning that it “kills innovation, poisons relationships, and buries dreams.” He emphasized that excellence is not synonymous with perfection, but with “choosing to demand more of yourself, even when no one else does.”
The Class of 2025 valedictorian, Habiba Amani Abdullahi, described AUN as a place where students are seen and believed in before they believe in themselves. “I once convinced myself I wasn’t good enough to be here... But the real mistake would’ve been letting that voice win, because today I stand here as the valedictorian of the Class of 2025.”
As the tassels were turned, the graduates of AUN’s Class of 2025 stepped into a world that urgently needs their skills, compassion, and leadership.
Reported by Aishatu Munnauwarah Yahya