By Mercy Joseph, Abuja
Twelve young women among those who survived the 2014 Chibok school abduction will graduate on May 9, 2026, from the American University of Nigeria (AUN).
This was disclosed in a press statement on Friday by Yusuf Mohammed, Head of Marketing and Communications of the institution.
According to him, for these twelve young women, it is an act of defiance, an assertion of identity, dignity and possibility.
“Once taken from their dormitory in Borno State, they will now walk across the stage as university graduates, scholars who rebuilt their lives through determination and the support of a vast and committed network.
“When the ladies speak about their forthcoming graduation, their voices hold a tone that blends disbelief with pride. ‘I’m not just graduating; I’m becoming who I once thought I couldn’t be,’ said Jummai, a Communications and Multimedia Design student.
“‘Our journey at AUN is proof that darkness cannot win,’ added Ms Ezekiel, a CMD major,” the statement quoted them as saying.
Hauwa, an International and Comparative Politics major, recalled; “We arrived broken, but here at AUN we found strength and learned to dream again.”
“Those dreams now extend confidently into the future. Some of the women plan to work in development, while others are aiming for careers in healthcare. Their ambitions are bold, shaped by lived experience and a deep desire to redefine the narrative once imposed on them.”
Mohammed added that behind their transformation lies an extraordinary coalition of support from the government institutions, private individuals and the university community, all united in ensuring that the tragedy that once defined the girls’ lives would not define their future.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria played a crucial enabling role, creating the conditions for the girls to transition into an academic environment where healing and learning could take place side by side.
“When the girls arrived at AUN, they were not typical university freshmen. They came carrying invisible scars, years of interrupted education and the weight of trauma. AUN responded not with pity but with purpose.
“Special academic programmes were created to help them rebuild foundational learning. Counselling services, healthcare support and mentoring networks were carefully woven around them. Gradually, their laughter returned and their academic performance rose steadily,” he added.
AUN President, Professor DeWayne Frazier, described their achievement as a collective triumph.
“This commencement marks a seminal moment, not just for AUN but for the world. These young women have shown extraordinary resilience and unwavering courage.”
