American University of Nigeria

American University of Nigeria (AUN), located in Yola, Adamawa State, is a private university modelled on the American higher education tradition, offering an American-style liberal arts curriculum. AUN operates four schools: arts and sciences, business and entrepreneurship, information technology and communications, and law. Student enrolment exceeds 1,800 across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes — deliberately maintained at a smaller scale than other Nigerian universities. The institution is recognised for its English-language American-style instruction, distinctive flexible curriculum allowing students to change majors, substantial scholarship support, and humanitarian work during the Boko Haram insurgency. AUN was named one of the top private universities in Africa and was a 2014 recipient of the Albert Einstein Foundation Visionary Award.

History

American University of Nigeria was established in 2005 by Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President of Nigeria (1999-2007) and a Yola indigene, in partnership with American University Washington D.C. The institution was conceived as Nigeria\'s first American-style university offering a liberal arts curriculum and American-style instruction. AUN admitted its first students in 2005. The university recruited American and international faculty alongside Nigerian academics and offered scholarship programmes to attract diverse students. During the peak Boko Haram insurgency years (2014-2017) AUN became internationally known for sheltering thousands of displaced persons on campus, distributing food and educational support, and continuing operations despite the regional security challenges. The institution has built reputation for distinctive academic approach and humanitarian commitment.

Core values: ExcellenceIntegrityServiceInnovation

American University of Nigeria considers candidates who meet the institutional JAMB cutoff and pass the Post-UTME screening. Direct Entry applicants must meet the entry requirements for their chosen course.

Entry modes accepted: UTMEDirect Entry

✓ Accepts Direct Entry   — Accepts inter-university transfers

Admission timeline (recent)

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American University of Nigeria operates from a substantial campus in Yola, Adamawa State, with modern academic infrastructure including faculty buildings, research laboratories, the Robert A. Pastor Library, lecture theatres, student halls of residence, sports complex (including American football and athletics facilities) and recreational facilities. The campus design emphasises an American university aesthetic and culture. Yola is connected by road to Mubi (about 3 hours north), Jalingo (2.5 hours south) and Gombe (3 hours west). Air access is via Yola Airport with daily flights to Lagos and Abuja.