American University of Nigeria - History

History

The American University of Nigeria opened its doors to its first students in 2005. Founded by the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, it is located in north-eastern Nigeria in Yola, the state capital of Adamawa state, the vice president’s home town. Having benefited from the U.S. system of instruction as a young man, Abubakar sought to make this style of education — emphasizing critical thinking, small classes, student participation, problem-solving, a US-style general education program, and an American-trained faculty — available to all qualified young people of Nigeria and, increasingly, to the rest of the world.

Originally named the ABTI American University of Nigeria, the name was simplified to American University of Nigeria following discussions with American University in Washington, D.C. (which AUN exchanges students with). This puts it in conformity with practices of other American Universities outside of the United States, such as the American University of Beirut and the American University of Paris. AUN is the only such institution of higher learning in sub-Saharan Africa.

There have been three presidents in the first years of AUN’s development: Dr. David Huwiler, Dr. Michael Smith, and the current president, Dr. Margee Ensign. Dr. Ensign came to the post having served as dean of the School of International Studies at the University of the Pacific, where she was also the associate provost.