Twelve of the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in 2014 have graduated from American University of Nigeria.
Speaking at the university’s 17th graduation ceremony in Yola on Saturday, Kashim Shettima said the achievement of the former Chibok schoolgirls symbolised renewed hope for women’s education in Nigeria and beyond.
Represented by Abdullahi Ribadu, the Vice President praised the university for providing an enabling environment for the girls to successfully complete their studies despite the trauma they endured.
He noted that their graduation underscores the importance of educating women as a foundation for national development.
At the ceremony, journalist Aisha Busari reflected on her role in obtaining a proof-of-life video of the girls during the years they were held captive.
Busari said, “A year before, I had obtained a vital proof-of-life video that showed these young women were still alive at a time when the world had started to forget about them.”
She explained that the video contributed to efforts that eventually opened negotiations leading to the release of some of the abducted girls.
“At the time, we did not know if the work would make any difference. We did it because the alternative was silence, and silence felt like complicity.
“After the initial coverage, the story began to fade. The news cycle moved on, the way it always does. There were moments I wondered whether continuing to push the story mattered at all,” she added.
President of AUN, Dewayne Frazier, described the graduation as evidence that education can help victims of violence rebuild their lives.
“These graduates now stand as beacons of light for the Northeast and the world. Their success sends a powerful message: education is the most proven tool for healing and transformation, capable of reclaiming lives and building a brighter, more secure future for Nigeria,” Frazier said.
He also commended the Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring the girls’ education.
On April 14, 2014, 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, Borno State. While many have since escaped or been released, dozens are still believed to be missing more than a decade later.
