American University of Nigeria (AUN) is the first American university to be established in Nigeria. The American University of Nigeria opened its doors to its first students in 2005. Founded by the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, it is located in north-eastern Nigeria in Yola, the state capital of Adamawa state, the vice president’s home town. Having benefited from the U.S. system of instruction as a young man, Abubakar sought to make this style of education — emphasizing critical thinking, small classes, student participation, problem-solving, a US-style general education program, and an American-trained faculty — available to all qualified young people of Nigeria and, increasingly, to the rest of the world. Originally named the ABTI American University of Nigeria, the name was simplified to American University of Nigeria following discussions with American University in Washington, D.C. This puts it in conformity with practices of other AU affiliates, such as the American University of Beirut and the American University of Paris. AUN is the only such institution of higher learning in sub-Sahara Africa. It has a student exchange program with AU-Washington.