Atiku Abubakar - American University of Nigeria

American University of Nigeria

American University of Nigeria (AUN) is the first American university to be established in South Saharan Africa. Originally ABTI American University of Nigeria(AAUN), AUN opened its doors to its first students in 2005. It was 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.

While celebrating its 50 years anniversary, the National Peace Corps Association in the United States honored Atiku. In the presentation of award, the Peace Corps described Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as one individual who contributed to the development of higher education on the continent of Africa. “No private businessman in Africa has worked harder for democracy or contributed more to the progress of higher education than Atiku Abubakar,” the Peace Corps said.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is also a recipient of the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award.