Emotional Milestone: Shettima Reacts As 12 Chibok Girls Graduate From AUN Years After Abduction

Twelve Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 have now graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on Saturday at the institution’s 17th convocation ceremony—where the former abductees were among the graduating students—said their achievement has rekindled hope for girls’ education in Nigeria and beyond.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the Vice President praised AUN for creating a supportive academic environment that enabled the young women to complete their studies.

He noted that their graduation represents more than individual success, describing it as a national symbol of resilience, courage, and the value of educating the girl-child.

Shettima added that their journey from captivity to graduation highlights how education can restore dignity, rebuild broken lives, and inspire other young women across the country.

He also commended AUN for standing by the students through years of trauma and supporting them in achieving their academic goals.

The Vice President further stressed the need to strengthen efforts to protect schools, support survivors of violence, and ensure uninterrupted access to education for girls.

Speaking at the ceremony, AUN President Dewayne Frazier said the graduation affirms the university’s mission as a development-focused institution.

He explained that AUN has demonstrated that recovery from trauma and academic excellence can go hand in hand.

“These graduates now stand as beacons of light for the Northeast and the world,” he said, adding that education remains a powerful tool for healing and transformation.

Frazier also acknowledged the Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring and supporting the students throughout their academic journey.

Journalist Stephanie Busari, who also spoke at the event, reflected on her role in sustaining global attention on the Chibok girls after public interest began to fade.

She recalled obtaining a proof-of-life video about a year before their release, confirming that some of the abducted girls were still alive at the time.

According to her, the video helped renew efforts that contributed to negotiations for their eventual release. She said she continued the coverage despite doubts about its impact, noting that silence would have meant complicity.

Meanwhile, it was recalled that 276 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014.

While many have since escaped or been released, more than 80 are still unaccounted for as of 2026, with their fate unknown.

The graduation of the 12 survivors was widely described as a powerful reminder that education remains a critical path to healing, empowerment, and national renewal despite the enduring pain of the Chibok tragedy.