 LEFT TO RIGHT: Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, AAUN President David Huwiler, and President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo laying the foundation for the new ABTI-American University of Nigeria. |
International Affairs
ABTI-American University of
Nigeria to Open in Fall 2005When high school seniors in the United States apply to college, one of their biggest “dilemmas” might be choosing from among the hundreds of quality schools around the country. Such a luxury does not exist for students in Nigeria. Indeed, demand for higher education there is enormous, with only 116,000 spaces available for the million students who pass the college entrance exam each year.
These circumstances prompted His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s vice president, to initiate discussions with AU faculty in 2003 about building an American-style university in Yola, capital of his home state of Adamawa, Nigeria. Those discussions led ABTI-American University of Nigeria (AAUN) to sign a five-year management consultancy agreement with AU on January 1, 2004. Abubakar, whose wife Jennifer is a PhD student at AU’s School of International Service (SIS), is the leading funder for this effort.
What does an American-style education mean? Students are encouraged to participate more actively in classes that are small, and there are periodic exams and papers. They begin their education with courses in general education as well as their major. Other universities in Nigeria follow the British style, whereby students begin to study for their professional education from the beginning; classes are larger; and learning is by rote rather than by participation.
As part of the consultancy agreement, AU is responsible for recruiting AAUN’s management team and faculty; developing the curriculum; and providing advice on physical facilities and the master plan. Several key posts have already been filled. The AAUN president is Dr. David Huwiler, formerly president of the American University-Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic (this school has no affiliation with AU). Dr. James Garofalo, formerly dean of the School of Education at Aquinas College in Michigan and a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria in the 1960s, is vice president of academic affairs. Dr. Patrick Ukata is director of AAUN’s Washington office.
Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar speaking at the first AAUN Board of Trustees meeting in Yola, Nigeria.
A groundbreaking ceremony in Yola on October 25, 2004 marked the formal unveiling of the ambitious project. Many of Nigeria’s leading officials, including President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined Vice President Abubakar for the occasion. AU was represented by President Benjamin Ladner, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Donald Myers, Vice President of International Affairs Robert Pastor, SIS Dean Louis Goodman, and Professor Peter Lewis of SIS.
“This is truly a massive, courageous and daring investment and a challenge to all who have a vision for a greater future for education in Nigeria and a brighter future for our country,” remarked Alhaji Ahmed Joda, chairman of AAUN’s Board of Trustees, in his speech at the ceremony. “Our objective is to provide to all who come to ABTI-American University the best facilities anywhere in Nigeria.”
Construction on the physical facilities will occur at a fast pace to prepare for the first class of 200 students in the fall of 2005 when three schools will open—the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Entrepreneurial Studies and Business Management, and the School of Information Technology and Communication. Law and engineering schools will open later. Admissions will gradually expand, reaching a level of 2,000 students in five years and 4,000 students in ten years. The annual tuition rate of about US$6,000 per student is high by Nigeria’s standards but considerably less than the cost of studying in the United States or Europe.
AAUN Architectural Plan
“We envision that ABTI-American University will become a model for American-style education in one of the African continent’s most important countries,” said Ladner. “We are proud of this venture, which strongly supports American University’s global mission.”
AAUN demonstrates the high degree of integration between what AU is doing on campus and what it is doing abroad. It is the university’s fourth link to Africa, joining AU Abroad programs in Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana (see page 4). “Once AAUN is established,” said Pastor, who is managing AU’s support for AAUN, “we expect AU students to be able to spend their study abroad in Nigeria, and for Nigerian students to be able to participate in our new program, ‘Abroad at AU.’ We also look forward to faculty exchanges for the benefit of both institutions.”
Following the successful model of AU Sharjah, a university AU helped build in the United Arab Emirates seven years ago, the AAUN partnership promises to offer a first-rate education. The impact on higher education could be very positive if AAUN promotes competition among Nigeria’s other universities. There may even come a time when Nigerian students experience the luxury of choosing among several universities.
Visit the ABTI-American University of Nigeria website.
