Twelve schoolgirls rescued from the infamous Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping are set to graduate from the American University of Nigeriain Yola, Adamawa State, in a historic moment being hailed as a powerful testament to resilience and hope.
The university’s President, DeWayne Frazier, made the announcement during a media briefing in Yola, ahead of the institution’s commencement ceremony scheduled for May 9.
He described the upcoming graduation as “the triumph of education over extremism,” underscoring the students’ remarkable journey from captivity to academic achievement.
The graduating students were among those abducted years ago by the insurgent group Boko Haram, whose anti-education ideology once shocked the world.
Their academic success now stands as a direct counter to that narrative, sending a strong message about the enduring power of learning.
Frazier said the moment the young women cross the stage will be both emotional and symbolic, declaring that “Boko Haram lost and education won.”
Adding significance to the ceremony, a journalist, Stephanie Busari, widely recognized for her reporting on the Chibok abductions, will deliver the keynote address.
Beyond the symbolic graduation, the university leadership also pointed to broader institutional progress.
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Frazier revealed improvements in student enrollment, financial stability, and scholarship expansion, noting that more than 30 percent of students now receive financial aid.
He further highlighted advancements in digital learning through partnerships with technology firms, upgrades to campus infrastructure, and the rollout of student-driven innovations like the “AUN 360” app, which integrates services such as transport tracking, food access, and campus navigation.
According to the university, it has also cleared debts linked to the pandemic period and is currently in one of its strongest financial positions in recent years.
