Parents of newly admitted students at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, have praised the university for its warm reception, well-organized activities, and welcoming environment as their children begin their university journey.
The parents shared their impressions during the President’s Welcome Dinner for Parents and Freshmen on August 27, 2026. The event brought together parents, students, university leaders, faculty, and members of the AUN community to welcome the Fall 2026 freshman class.
Mr. Izuyong Akime, an accountant and parent, commended the university’s airport reception and orientation arrangements, saying the experience helped families feel more comfortable as they settled into the university community.
He encouraged the new students to make the most of the opportunities available to them, including academic programmes, leadership activities, and extracurricular engagements.
Mrs. Okonkwo Juliet Nkiruka (Esq.), Director of Legal Services at the Enugu State Ministry of Justice and Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor, also expressed her appreciation for the reception she and other parents received.
“I am thrilled, overwhelmed, and impressed. I feel like I am in a home away from home,” she said, while praising the student volunteers and the welcoming atmosphere on campus.
Mrs. Okonkwo said she was also interested in exploring possible areas of collaboration between the Enugu State Government and AUN. She noted the accessibility of the university’s leadership and the interaction between administrators and students.
She cited AUN President Prof. DeWayne Frazier’s interaction with students, including dining with them in the cafeteria, as an example of the open and welcoming environment she experienced at the university.
In his remarks, Prof. Frazier encouraged the freshmen to see their time at AUN as more than a path to earning a degree. He urged them to use their university experience to develop the knowledge, character, and skills needed to lead, serve, and contribute solutions to challenges in their communities and beyond.
He said AUN seeks to prepare students not only for careers but also for lives of meaningful contribution and service.
Current students also offered the freshmen a glimpse into life at AUN, sharing lessons from their own experiences.
Godwin Esio, a senior Law student, recalled his arrival in Yola and how the warm reception he received from the AUN community helped him settle into university life. He encouraged the new students to build meaningful relationships and support networks from the outset.
“AUN has taught me that there is no success if it doesn't impact the masses,” Esio said, reflecting on how his involvement in campus organizations had changed his perspective on success and service.
Gladys Teyi Teni, a fourth-year Natural and Environmental Science major, spoke about how AUN’s liberal arts-based education has shaped her approach to learning. She said the curriculum encourages students to think critically, analyze ideas, and apply what they learn rather than simply memorize information.
Drawing on her leadership experience as Personal Assistant to the Senior Director of Events, Dr. Usor E Usoh, Teni encouraged the freshmen to stay curious, build relationships, serve others, and maintain balance as they navigate university life.
Interim Provost Prof. Bolade Agboola thanked parents for entrusting their children to AUN and highlighted the combination of the Nigerian university curriculum and the American liberal arts tradition.
He said the approach helps develop well-rounded graduates with the critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills needed to make meaningful contributions to society.
The welcome dinner was part of AUN’s activities to welcome the Fall 2026 freshman class and allow students and their families to connect with university leadership, faculty, and the wider university community.
Reported by Udoh Victoria Clement