Twelve formerly abducted Chibok schoolgirls were among thousands of students who graduated at the 17th convocation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola.
The girls, adopted by AUN after their release from Boko Haram captivity, completed degrees across various disciplines. Their tuition was funded by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
Orphan Ubaidatu Hammantukur Yettisuri emerged best graduating student with a first-class degree in Law and served as valedictorian of the Class of 2026. She lost both parents during her studies.
“The empathy shown to me was the turning point in my life. I remain grateful to the AUN family,” Ubaidatu said.
Taraba State Governor Kefas Agbu, who attended the ceremony, thanked the federal government for sponsoring the Chibok girls and commended AUN for supporting them through their studies.
Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, represented by Permanent Secretary Esuabana Nko Asanye, said the girls’ success was “a triumph over Boko Haram” and proof that “there is hope and light after darkness.”
One of the graduates, Margret Yanama, said the academic standard was high but faculty and student support helped them through.
“The encouragement from our faculties and fellow students meant me and my sisters were able to go through, and today we are graduates,” she said.
Chairman of the Chibok community Yakubu Nkika thanked the federal government, the ministry, and AUN for giving the girls a second chance after trauma.
Convocation speaker Stephanie Busari, a journalist who covered the Chibok abductions and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, said the graduation fulfilled a long-held dream. She urged the graduates to use their education to serve society.
Other graduates also praised AUN’s academic and moral standards. Among them were Kingsley Nwankwo from Abia and Abubakar Sadiq Atiku from Kaduna.
Over 275 girls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in April 2014. Some escaped, others were released, while many remain missing.
