University Events - ��

Fall Convocation and Pledge Ceremony

2018-07-17T09:03:56+00:00

Fall Convocation & Pledge Ceremony

The Fall Convocation & Pledge Ceremony is the official opening program of the new academic year, an important moment for the AUN learning community when we come together to celebrate our accomplishments, welcome our new students and parents, and reflect on our vision—Africa’s Development University. The event also serves as Matriculation Ceremony for the new students, both undergraduate and graduate.

This year’s Fall Convocation & Pledge Ceremony (Matriculation) is scheduled to be held on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Lamido Aliyu Musdafa Commencement Hall.

AUN Founder’s Day

2018-07-17T09:03:03+00:00

�� Founder’s Day
The Founder’s Day at the �� is a yearly tradition that we are always proud to celebrate. It celebrates the founding, development, and remarkable progress of our university for the future of Nigeria, Africa, and the world. The ceremony in particular honors our Founder, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria for his vision in establishing this unique university Africa’s Development University. It also recognizes and celebrates the many accomplishments of its outstanding students, faculty and staff as well as our proud alumni.

Past Founder’s Day keynote speakers include: Bishop Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; Professor Charles Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; His Excellency Dr. Gilbert Bukenya, former Vice President of Uganda; Professor William Bertrand of Tulane University, New Orleans; Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Chairman of Silverbird Group; Dr. Paul Vita, CEO of Madrid Campus of Saint Louis University, Dr. Steven Titus, President Emeritus of Iowa Wesleyan University, and His Excellency Mr. Peter G. Obi, former Governor of Anambra State.

This year’s Founder’s Day is the 17th in the series and is scheduled to be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025. We are honored to have His Excellency, Ambassador Professor Muhammadou M. O. Kah as our keynote speaker. Ambassador Kah is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Gambia to the Swiss confederation & Permanent Representative to the United Nations Organizations at Geneva (UNOG), World Trade Organization (WTO), and other International organizations in Switzerland.

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker

2018-07-17T09:03:03+00:00

H.E. Amb. Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, D.Sc. (h.c), Ph.D.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to the Swiss Confederation & Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), WTO & Other International Organizations in Switzerland.

Bio

H.E. Ambassador Professor Muhammadou M.O. Kah is a visionary Gambian diplomat, scholar, and technology governance trailblazer, reshaping the global digital order from the heart of Geneva’s multilateral arena. As The Gambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNOG, WTO, WIPO, ITU, and other key international organizations in Switzerland, he drives equitable digital transformation, ethical AI frameworks, robust data governance, and inclusive digital public infrastructure ensuring the Global South not only participates in but co-authors the rules of frontier technologies and reaps the rewards of the digital economy.

Appointed in 2020, Amb. Prof. Kah previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the �� (AUN), where he held the rank of Professor of Information Technology & Computing. Earlier, he made history as the first Gambian-born Vice Chancellor (President) and Professor of IT and Communications of the University of The Gambia (2009–2015), spearheading institutional growth, digital modernization, and transformative academic reforms to elevate quality and align with global benchmarks.

A prolific institution-builder, he founded and led Schools of IT and Engineering at ADA University in Baku, Azerbaijan, as Founding Dean and Professor of IT and Communications and while simultaneously served as Vice Rector for Technology and Innovation. And, at AUN, he provided leadership that established the School of Information Technology and Communications as Founding Dean Founding Dean and Associate Professor and later promoted to the rank of Professor of IT and Communications, while simultaneously serving as Interim Dean of the School of Business and Interim CIO/CTO.

Renowned as a global thought leader, Amb. Prof. Kah has taught at Rutgers, Howard, and George Washington Universities; served as Non-Resident Fellow at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School; and holds appointments as Non-Resident Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg and Non-Resident Scholar at the AI Ethics Lab, Rutgers University-Camden.

He supervised and Co-supervised many PhD and master Thesis in Information Systems. He also served and continue to serve as PhD external Examiner for over a decade at various reputable Universities.

His peer-reviewed publications span ICT innovation, AI ethics, and developmental impact, with over 1,20 citations. He recently co-authored Digital Technology 360° (2025) a seminal guide to leveraging technology for secure, sustainable digital futures.

In UN leadership, Ambassador Kah excels: Chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD); Vice Chair of the CSTD Working Group on Data Governance; Vice President (Africa) of the UN Human Rights Council (served two rare consecutive terms, 2022–2024); Coordinator of Human Rights Matters for the African Group of Ambassadors in Geneva; Vice President of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board (2021–2023); Co-Friends of the Chair for the Digital Economy Pillar at UNCTAD 16; Chair of WIPO High-Level Conversations on IP and Frontier Technologies/AI; Co-Facilitator of UNHRC Dialogues on AI, Data, Digital Divide & Human Rights; and Advisory Board Member of the UNCTAD Trade and Development Board (2021–2023). He has also served as Vice Chair of the WIPO General Assembly, Chair of the Africa Group of Ambassadors in Geneva, and Vice Chair of the 34th International Conference of the ICRC. And, at the WTO, he currently serves as Coordinator of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and as a Member of the WTO 3rd Phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Executive Board.

Most recently, he was appointed by the UN Secretary General to the UN Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Safeguards Strategic Advisory Board and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Advisory Group.

Externally, he contributes strategic insight to boards including EffectiveRAI (AI Strategic Advisory), UNICCON Group, I-DAIR (Health AI), African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), and the Malabo Montpellier Panel. He is a Board of Trustees and Governing Council Member of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), following a decade on the AUN Board of Trustees and a return to its Governing Council.

In the private and public sectors, Amb. Prof. Kah has chaired Zenith Bank (Gambia), Gambia International Airlines (GIA), Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), and ACT Afrique Group (Senegal). He currently chairs Bridge Konekt (Investment Management Advisory Firm, New York & Dakar) and serves on boards of non-profits and academic bodies advancing STEM, innovation, and inclusive prosperity.

Amb. Prof. Kah holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. in Information & Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology; an M.Sc. in Finance from George Washington University; and a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategy & Innovation from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He has completed executive programs at Harvard, INSEAD, Cambridge and Imperial College, and in 2016, he was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) by the University of The Gambia.

His national merit accolades include The Gambia’s Order of the Republic (OFR), Member of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia (MRG), and The President’s Leadership Award. Recently, he received the 3rd IHETT “Special Contribution Award for Digital Intelligence” presented at the 3rd International Academic Forum on AI Governance (China).

Forged in elite institutions and honed through frontline diplomacy and digital leadership, Amb. Prof.Kah masterfully blends technical expertise with strategic foresight to forge a digital world that is secure, inclusive, and sustainable one where technology empowers humanity, bridges divides, ignites prosperity, and accelerates equitable development.

“Technology must serve humanity equitably, ethically, and without borders.”
H.E. Amb. Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah

New Student Orientation

2018-07-17T09:01:52+00:00

AUN ORIENTATION PROGRAM: AN OVERVIEW

We understand how acceptance into a university and beginning a new life comes with the fear of the unknown. However, leaving home for university is a lot more fun. It means you will be exploring a new place, making new friends and family, learning independence, and setting your own priorities. Yes, you are going to face enormous changes in a small amount of time--this can be both exciting and challenging. Years of experience have shown us that getting off to a great start at AUN includes attending the New Student Orientation.

The AUN Orientation program is designed to provide support to new students as they begin to lay the foundation for a new academic and social life at our university. It creates the opportunity to:

Learn AUN values and get informed about university life.
Find your way around the campus and check into residences.
Foster and develop valuable friendships and connections that will boost academic success.
Familiarize yourself with support services.
Learn about student advising and enrol for semester courses.
Get settled and begin classes promptly.

The orientation program also provides the opportunity to experience the special nature of undergraduate student life in a typical ��-style institution. Orientation at AUN is managed by faculty and staff members but coordinated by student volunteers. These volunteers are available to make you feel at home, answer your questions, address your concerns, and share in your excitement.

Orientation days provide you with the required knowledge and skills to effectively manage your life as a university student and get you off to a good start. It’s your life, but we are here to help you live it better through hard work, fun, and life-changing opportunities. We are glad to welcome you to university life and we are certain that you will love the AUN experience.

Fall 2025 Orientation for new students begins Tuesday, August 27, 2025, with arrivals.

SIX TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION

Following these six tips should make your transition process more manageable and productive:

01 Plan to arrive on campus early. Arriving at the University campus early for the Orientation is an all-important step every new student should take for a successful transition. Remember, many activities are planned for you, and these activities are to help you in your transition to ��-style university life and study.

02 Remember that all of you are new students. If you're feeling shy, not sure how to approach people, or completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of students on campus, keep in mind that almost all new students are a little confused.

03 Ensure you do your logistics-based tasks. Getting your student ID card, registering in a club of your choice, checking in to your residence hall, creating a school email and username, and registering for classes are the building blocks for the rest of your university experience. Get them settled as soon as possible. There is always help available.

04 Don’t miss your placement exams. This is an all-important examination and prerequisite for course registration. See your Orientation Schedule.

05 Attend as many activities as possible. Consider this: would you rather learn how to use the library, navigate around campus, and get acquainted with AUN’s Code of Conduct now, while relaxed and meeting new people, or later in the semester when you are stressed, tired, and backed up against a deadline for your classwork? All of our orientation activities are planned to help your transition be smooth and stress-free, to help you succeed.

06 Ask for help when - not if - you need it. Everyone on campus - staff, students, and faculty - knows that now is a time for learning new things and getting oriented. If you are not sure about something, don’t be shy. Make sure to just ask someone.

Don’t worry, in a few days of your arrival on campus, you will be so familiar with a campus life that the campus will feel like your second home.

Commencement (Graduation) Ceremonies

2018-07-17T08:59:24+00:00

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
SIXTEENTH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

The Commencement (Graduation) Ceremony at the �� is an annual event that celebrates the hard work and remarkable accomplishments of the graduating class--class of 2025.

The 2025 Commencement is the sixteenth in the series and is consists of three major segments: Senior Week, the Graduation Awards Ceremony, and the Commencement (Graduation) Ceremony.

SENIOR WEEK

The Senior Week comprises activities designed for the graduating seniors. These include Life After College and the Senior Ball which are organized to prepare the seniors for the challenges and opportunities of life after university, and also celebrate their amazing milestones! The dates are Monday, 12 May through Friday, 16 May 2025.

As part of the senior week activities is the launch of the AUN Alumni Reunion Dinner. This dinner is planned to bring home our dear alums all over the world as we unveil the “I Love AUN” alumni park. The dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

GRADUATION AWARDS CEREMONY

The Graduation Awards Ceremony recognizes the academic accomplishments, dedication to service and outstanding contributions to civic engagements of our undergraduate and graduate students. This ceremony is in two parts: AUN Honor Society Awards Banquet, and the Graduation Awards.

The AUN Honor Society Awards Banquet is for the graduating members of the AUN Honor Society and it celebrates the exceptional services and exemplary leadership of graduating members of the Honor Society. The banquet is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 15 May 2025.

The Graduation Awards ceremony is for all members of the graduating class and their family members. At this ceremony, we will present nearly 50 awards, university and corporate, to members of the class. The event is scheduled to be held on Friday, 16 May 2025.

COMMENCEMENT (GRADUATION) CEREMONY

The Commencement Ceremony is the grand finale as we confer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees; and postgraduate diplomas to eligible candidates.