Shettima Breaks Silence As 12 Chibok Girls Graduate From AUN 12 Years After Abduction

According to Ireporter Online, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the graduation as a symbol of renewed hope for girls’ education in Nigeria and beyond. Speaking at the 17th convocation ceremony of the university, where the former abductees were among the graduating class, Shettima—represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu—commended the institution for creating a supportive academic environment that enabled the students to complete their studies.

He stated that the achievement of the 12 Chibok girls represents more than personal success, describing it as a national symbol of courage, resilience, and the transformative power of education. He emphasized that their journey from captivity to graduation demonstrates how education can restore dignity, rebuild shattered lives, and inspire other young women across the country.

Shettima further noted that the development underscores the urgent need to strengthen policies around the protection of schools, support for survivors of violence, and expanded access to education for girls.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of AUN, Dewayne Frazier, said the graduation validates the institution’s mission as a development-focused university, adding that it demonstrates how education can bridge trauma and academic excellence. He described the graduates as symbols of hope, stating that their success proves education remains a powerful tool for healing, transformation, and national development.

Frazier also acknowledged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring and supporting the education of the girls throughout their academic journey.

Journalist Stephanie Busari, who played a key role in sustaining global attention on the Chibok abduction, also reflected on her involvement, revealing that she had obtained a proof-of-life video of some of the girls at a time when international attention on the incident was waning. She said the effort to keep the story alive was driven by a refusal to let silence overshadow the tragedy, noting that renewed coverage helped support subsequent negotiations.

Busari added that while global attention on the case diminished over time, the commitment to continue reporting was motivated by the belief that visibility was crucial to their eventual freedom.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that out of the 276 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014, more than 180 have either escaped or been released over the years, some returning with children born in captivity. However, over 80 of the girls are still unaccounted for as of 2026.

The graduation of the 12 former abducted students was widely described as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of the Chibok tragedy and the role of education in fostering healing, empowerment, and national renewal.