On August 26, 2025, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) welcomed a delegation from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The delegation, led by Dr. Funmilayo Morebise, Acting Director of Open, Distance, and E-Learning at the NUC, and Mr. Sanusi Jaji, Deputy Director at TETFund and secretary of the team, visited the campus to evaluate AUN’s readiness to host graduate training programs under TETFund’s in-country scholarship scheme.
This initiative follows the Federal Government’s recent suspension of foreign training sponsorships for academic staff. In response, TETFund have selected certain Nigerian universities, AUN among them, to serve as local training centers, ensuring scholars receive world-class graduate education without leaving the country.
Welcoming the visitors in his office, AUN President, Dr. DeWayne Frazier, described the initiative as both timely and transformative.
“I have seen brilliant minds leave Nigeria for studies abroad and end up staying there, often absorbed by opportunities in countries like the U.S.,” Dr. Frazier said. “This initiative by the federal government is timely and will help us retain talent. Together, we can build a reliable academic workforce that will transform Nigeria’s educational system.”
He emphasized AUN’s unique role as a private university with a public mission, blending the best of American and Nigerian educational traditions.
In her remarks, Dr. Morebise praised AUN’s vision, infrastructure, and facilities, reaffirming TETFund’s commitment to supporting universities that meet high standards. She stressed that establishing graduate training centers locally would not only curb brain drain but also enhance the quality of higher education nationwide.
The delegation toured AUN’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Communications & Multimedia Design Lab, AUN Radio Station, e-Library, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, Data House, graduate hostels, the Moot Court, Law Clinic, and various science and engineering laboratories.
During the inspection, the team commended the sophistication of AUN’s labs and recommended that the university consider opening its facilities to external researchers. Such collaborations, they noted, would maximize the impact of AUN’s resources and further strengthen its role as a hub for research and innovation.
Reported by Udoh Victoria Clement,
Serving Corps Member, Marketing and Communication