Yola, Nigeria – Twelve former Chibok schoolgirls who were among the hundreds abducted by Boko‑Haramu in 2014 received their university diplomas on Saturday at the American University of Nigeria’s (AUN) 17th Commencement ceremony. The graduation marked the completion of their Bachelor’s degrees and underscored the federal government’s ongoing support for the survivors.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, attending the ceremony as a special guest, hailed the achievement as a symbol of “redemption” for the nation still haunted by the Chibok abduction. “The wound remains, but today we see a measure of healing as twelve more of those girls finish their studies,” he said. Shettima praised AUN, a private institution founded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for applying the same academic standards to the Chibok graduates as to any other student.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman‑Ibrahim, also applauded the graduates, emphasizing that adversity does not define a life when effective interventions are in place. Speaking through Permanent Secretary Mrs Esuabana Nko Asanye, the minister noted that the federal government has continued to invest in the education and welfare of the rescued girls since their release and will maintain support for the new graduates.
The twelve women were freed after lengthy negotiations and were subsequently enrolled at AUN under a federal sponsorship program. Their graduation coincided with the larger convocation, which saw hundreds of students receive degrees in the fields of engineering, business, social sciences, and health sciences.
Two of the Chibok graduates spoke to the media after the ceremony, expressing gratitude and relief at finally achieving a long‑awaited milestone. Their testimonies reflected a broader narrative of resilience in a community still coping with the trauma of the 2014 kidnappings.
Professor DeWayne Frazier, President (Vice‑Chancellor) of AUN, addressed the assembled graduates, stating that the Chibok girls’ walk across the stage represented “a sacred moment of triumph over fear, resilience over trauma, and hope over the forces that once sought to silence their future.” He affirmed the university’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for all students, regardless of background.
Representing the National Universities Commission, Executive Secretary Professor Abdullahi Ribadu confirmed that the federal government’s policy remains focused on ensuring that victims of the Chibok abduction receive full access to higher education and related opportunities.
The ceremony highlighted the sustained partnership between the federal government and private educational institutions in rehabilitating former abductees. While the graduation of the twelve Chibok girls does not erase the legacy of the 2014 kidnapping, officials said it reinforces the nation’s resolve to restore the lives disrupted by the attack and to continue investing in the education of vulnerable populations.
