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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
12 Chibok girls are part of the academic set that would participate in the forthcoming graduation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) scheduled for May, 9th.
A statement from Yusuf Mohammed, Head of Marketing and Communications, AUN, on Friday, indicated that the event will marks a powerful new chapter in one of the world’s most painful stories of terrorism, resilience, and hope.
He said: “For these twelve young women, it is an act of defiance, an assertion of identity, dignity, and possibility. Once taken from their dormitory in Chibok, 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.
“Those dreams now extend confidently into the future. Some of these young women plan to work in development, others in healthcare system. Their ambitions are bold, shaped by lived experience and a deep desire to redefine the narrative once imposed upon them. But behind their transformation lies an extraordinary coalition of support, 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.”
He confirmed that the Federal Government 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 young women 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 programme 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,” Mohammed said.
AUN President, Prof. DeWayne Frazier, described the 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.”
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Reflecting on the structured academic and personal support that shaped their success, he added, “Their journey proves what is possible when compassion, education, and community come together. This graduation is a victory shared by everyone who believed in them.
“For years, they were known only by the circumstances of their abduction. On May 9, they will stand ready to be known for something entirely different, their strength, their scholarship, and their humanity.
“The world once demanded that the Chibok girls be brought back. Now, the world will watch as they move forward, not as symbols of tragedy but as women of courage, scholars, citizens, and future leaders whose stories have only just begun,” he said.
One of the graduates, Jummai, said, “I’m not just graduating; I am becoming who I once thought I couldn’t be.
Another graduate, Ms Ezekiel, said, “our journey at AUN is proof that darkness cannot win.
Hauwa, an International and Comparative Politics major, recalled, “We arrived broken, but here at AUN we found strength and learned to dream again.”
They appreciated the school management and lecturers, as well as other supports they received from Nigerians during the trying time.
