The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, is set to deliver the convocation lecture at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, on Saturday, marking the institution’s 20th anniversary.
This was announced by the spokesman for Peter Obi Media Reach, Mr. Ibrahim Umar, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
According to Umar, Obi’s keynote address will be part of the university’s 16th Founder’s Day celebration and aligns with his tradition of addressing prominent educational institutions globally, including prestigious universities like Harvard and Yale.
The event will also honour Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the founder of AUN and former Vice-President of Nigeria, for his significant contributions to education and human development in Nigeria.
He highlighted that the university’s students are encouraged to direct their learning and research towards addressing socio-economic challenges across Africa.
In its 20 years of existence, AUN has garnered recognition for its community service and outreach projects, placing it among the top three Nigerian universities in Times Higher Education’s 2024 global impact ranking. The university has also expanded its academic programs and strengthened affiliations with international institutions. Additionally, AUN hosts the American Window in the northeast region, offering students and the public access to information on scholarships and research opportunities in the United States.
AUN President, Prof. DeWayne Frazier, expressed his pleasure in welcoming Peter Obi as the keynote speaker. He also conveyed the university’s gratitude for Obi’s acceptance of the invitation, stating, “Mr. Obi is an accomplished public servant and politician who has spent most of his life providing quality leadership and service to Nigerians. He is a champion of education and will be an excellent speaker to celebrate our 20 years.”
With this invitation, Obi joins a distinguished list of global personalities who have previously delivered the Founder’s Day lecture at AUN, including Dr. Paul Vita (2019), Prof. Ibrahim Gambari (2009), Bishop Mathew Kukah (2011), former Ugandan Vice-President Dr. Gilbert Bukenya (2013), Prof. Charles Soludo (2012), and Prof. William Bertrand of Tulane University (2014).
