Foundations laid for Nigerian university

The vision of a private, American-style university in one of Africa’s leading nations has come one step closer to reality. Vice President Atiku Abubakar of Nigerian, left, university president David Huwiler, center, and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, right, laid the foundation for the new ABTI-American University of Nigeria.

AU signed a five-year agreement earlier this year to provide advice and assistance in creating an academic curriculum, building the physical facilities, recruiting senior management, and other tasks for the venture in Nigeria. The groundbreaking launches a process that will move swiftly, with classes scheduled to start in fall 2005.

“It was a significant national event, attended by the president and vice president of Nigeria. AU’s involvement was highlighted as crucial to the success of the new university. I was extremely proud of the AU team for what it has already accomplished,” said AU President Benjamin Ladner, who led the AU delegation attending the Oct. 25 event. AU’s advisory team is lead by Robert Pastor, vice president of international affairs, and Patrick Ukata, director of ABTI’s office in Washington, D.C. There are 12 task forces on the AU campus working to advise their counterparts in Nigeria. —SA