Commencement Speech 2026
DeWayne Frazier
To all our dear leaders that are present today. From our dear Founder ably represented by his oldest children, Dr. Fatima and Adamu Atiku to our Honorable Minister of Woman Affairs, ably represented by our Perm Sec to our Dear Chairman of the AUN Board, Senator Ben Obi and our founding Board Member, Peter Okocha, Esteemed Members of Governing Council, Faculty and Staff, Proud Alumni, Friends of the American University of Nigeria, and most importantly, to all my dear graduating students, I say “Good Morning” or in my Bature accent, “Ina kwana”. My name is Professor DeWayne Frazier and I have proudly served as the President of the American University of Nigeria for the past three years.
It is with profound gratitude and great excitement that I welcome you all to this extraordinary occasion as we gather to celebrate our annual Commencement Service and mark over 20 years of excellence at the American University of Nigeria. In the American education tradition, each May of what we call the Spring Semester, all of the students who have completed their education gather for annual program known as Commencement. The name commencement has a deeper meaner than graduation which stands for completion. The word Commencement means that we are sending our graduates forward, forward into a new world with the tools, skills and persona to be future leaders. We are always a work in progress and AUN is preparing our dear students to be life long learners. The only day you truly stop learning is the day our lives end.
Do you believe in dreams and how they can come to reality, I certainly do? I am often reminded of a young orphan child from Jada who dreamt that he could be more, that he could make a difference, and the group of teachers from the America Peace Corp that encouraged his dreams. He lost his father and being an only child the pressure was on him to succeed to carry on the family name. This young man would rise to the ranks of Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his family name is known throughout the country and region, Atiku Abubakar. Our Dear Founder is a visionary, and 20 years ago he would commission and open the first university in Nigeria to adopt the American model of higher education, offering a liberal arts-based education that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and experiential learning. I have looked up to him for almost two decades, all starting when I discovered this university. I venture to say, as a single person, he has done more for education in the continent of Africa than any other person in history….and it all started when a poor orphan boy had a dream.
Over the years, the American University of Nigeria has grown from its humble beginnings here in Yola into a dynamic community that embodies the values of excellence, integrity, and service. We have educated leaders who are shaping industries, driving change, and transforming communities, not only in Nigeria but across the globe. From engineers in Silicon Valley to graduate students at Oxford to young youth advocates running for Governorship, there is no limit on the dreams and ambitions of our AUN graduates. The young ones in front of us today are no different, they are difference makers, time changers, market disrupters and people with a mission and a motive to improve this country by their leadership. I am proud, very proud, like a proud father to stand in front of you as their President.
This academic year has been one of the most special years in the history of the university as we have further developed the university across many key sectors and simultaneously witnessed record growth that has placed AUN in a much better financial position.
This year’s commencement is not only a celebration of our graduates; it is also a celebration of what the American University of Nigeria has continued to become. Over the past academic year, AUN has strengthened its position as a leading American-style development university through record-breaking enrollments, greater financial stability, expanded academic programs, improved campus services, stronger international partnerships, and a renewed focus on the student experience. From the launch of the AUN 360 mobile app, to the modernization of the Health Clinic, to improvements in campus dining, housing, security, energy efficiency, and digital learning resources, we have remained committed to the principle that excellence is built by doing the little things well.
We have also continued to advance AUN’s larger mission: to educate, to serve, and to lead. This year, the university expanded opportunities in law, economics, entrepreneurship, study abroad, open learning resources, research, and community engagement. Our partnerships with organizations such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Purdue University, the U.S. Department of State, UNFPA, UNESCO, ActionAid, and others demonstrate that AUN is not only growing internally, but also extending its impact across Nigeria, Africa, and the world. At the same time, our Feed & Read Program, medical outreach, borehole repairs, tutoring initiatives, and humanitarian projects remind us that AUN’s purpose has never been limited to the classroom. The students of our AUN have engaged in community events every week of the year and they have left a profound touch on the residents of our Adamawa. When people see the AUN coaster bus, they know that something good is going to happen. We are a private university with a public mission. This is my third year at AUN and I can tell you we have accomplished a lot but there is still more to go.
When I think of AUN and its impact I know I will often reflect about my boys of Yola, the Almarjiri children. If you did not notice, at the gate it started as around 3 or 4 people waiting to see their friend the Bature to exit at the end of the work day. Each day they would get a lollipop but even more important, they would get positive attention. That number is close to 50 now and they are learning English….small small. They can be heard yelling, “Clear the Barrier” at the front gate with our able security officers. The boys have their own sign I got for them that says “The Clear the Barrier Team” and one of the boys told me that they were famous now. These little boys still think I am the President of Adamawa for what it is worth, but most importantly, they know I care. Often for people it not about the material things, it is about time and effort. Our AUN students symbolize this as they have logged over a 1,000 hours this semester alone of community service. With education comes responsibility, and at AUN, we have helped our graduates understand and embrace the true meaning of this important principle.
I want to pause for a moment and give thanks once again. This thanks is to our President of Nigeria, Bolor Tinubu, our late President Muhammadu Buhari. To my good friend Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim the Minister of Women Affairs, represented today by our perm sec Dr. Maryam Ismaila Kershiro. It is through the federal government of Nigeria that these next few ladies were able to attend our AUN. For the 12 Chibok girls who will walk across the commencement stage, this graduation is far more than the completion of a degree. It is a sacred moment of triumph over fear, resilience over trauma, and hope over everything that once tried to silence their future. When they cross that stage, they will carry with them not only their own dreams, but the prayers of families, communities, Nigeria, and people around the world who believed that their story must not end in captivity, pain, or loss. Their graduation is a living testimony that education is still one of the most powerful forces on earth. It says to every young girl that her life has value, her mind has power, and her future can still be reclaimed. Boko Harem means literally Western Education is forbidden but I say in defiance NOT ON THIS VERY DAY. Western Education is forbidden NOT IN THIS VERY DAY.
For me personally, this will be one of the most emotional moments of my life as an educator and even as my role as a father. As a girl dad, I cannot watch these young women walk across the stage without thinking of my own daughters, and without feeling the weight of what their parents, guardians, teachers, and supporters have carried for so many years. I know I will be emotional, because this is not simply a university ceremony; it is a moment of humanity, healing, courage, and grace. To see them stand tall, receive their degrees, and step into the world as graduates of the American University of Nigeria will remind all of us why we do this work. Their courage will bless that stage, and their achievement will forever be part of AUN’s story. For many years our cry was “Bring Back Our Girls” but today, we send our “girls” forward.
Let me also take a moment to mention and bring forth another special graduate, his name is Muhammad Bashir Zakari. Bashir served this year as one of the most successful Student Government Association Presidents that the institution has had. Bashir understands the power of moments and presence, and people often compare the two of us in that we try to be everywhere to show our support to others. Bashir, please come forward with me a say a few short words for the audience.
Here shortly you will hear from other upcoming graduates of AUN. Their articulation, their writing, their delivery, these young people are the best of the best and I am proud to serve as a father, Big Brother and the president of these amazing young people. The Wahala can be much, I came without any grey hair but you all see now….Abeg, no vex me naijaland.
As I finish my welcome for the day, I fall back on the reasons I came her from the start. In life, we all yearn for the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than ourselves, something that has lasting impact for generations. Our Dear Founder, Atiku Abubakar truly understood this when over 20 years ago he started this important university, the first of its kind in all of Africa: A Development University. The journey has been difficult but nothing this special will come easy. We are truly proud that God has watched over us as we do our best to educate the next generation. The concept of Education plus Service is forever etched in my own heart and the time I have and will continue to spend touching this great country and people will always be a highlight of my life.
May the Gracious and Great God bless these graduates and this outstanding audience and may God Bless America and Nigeria as well as OUR American University of Nigeria.