12 Chibok Survivors Set To Graduate From University

YOLA, Adamawa State — Twelve years after their abduction by Boko Haram insurgents from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, 12 of the surviving Chibok schoolgirls are set to graduate from the American University of Nigeria in Yola.

AUN President Dewayne Frazier made the disclosure on Wednesday during an event at the university campus. He described the milestone as a powerful symbol of resilience and hope that resonates across the globe.

Frazier said the graduation of the young women, who were once held captive in the Sambisa Forest, goes beyond academic achievement. It represents a profound testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of overcoming unimaginable adversity.

The AUN president noted that their journey from captivity to earning university degrees has attracted international attention as a remarkable story of triumph. He highlighted the university’s role in transforming lives through education, adding that the graduates have shown how individuals can rise above trauma to attain personal and academic success.

Frazier further described the soon-to-be graduates as sources of inspiration for the North-East region and the entire country. He stressed that their success demonstrates the power of education as a tool for healing, rebuilding lives, and fostering a better future for Nigeria.

The AUN president commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring the education of the Chibok survivors at the institution.

The abduction took place on April 14, 2014, when 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents. While 57 girls escaped on the night of the attack and several others have been rescued or released over the years, more than 80 are still missing, according to recent figures.

As these 12 young women prepare to receive their degrees, their story serves as a beacon of hope amid the long shadow of the Chibok tragedy, underscoring the enduring importance of education in Nigeria’s recovery and nation-building efforts.