Abdou Moumouni University (French: Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey, UAM), formerly the University of Niamey from 1974 to 1994, is a public university based in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The main campus is situated on the right bank of the Niger River. Historically, its students and faculty have been involved in protest movements in the capital.

Enrollment

The university currently has an enrollment of around 25,000 students.

Name

The university is named after former Professor Abdou Moumouni Dioffo, a Nigerien educator, intellectual, and president of the university. From 1974 to 1994, the institution was known as the University of Niamey. The university was an outgrowth of the 1971 "Centre d'Enseignement Superieur", which consolidated a number of post-secondary and trade schools founded in the years following independence. Under French colonial rule, there were no post-secondary institutions in Niger.

Structure

The Université Abdou Moumouni includes a wide array of public institutions. These include: Lamordé University Hospital is affiliated and many faculty and students practice medicine there.

IUTs

The University Institutes of Technology (Instituts Universitaires de Technologie, IUT) are tech schools in the regional capitals of Tahoua, Maradi, and Zinder created in October 2006, and operating from 2007 to 2008. In 2009 it was decided in the National Assembly that the campuses would be integrated into the Université Abdou Moumouni. In 2011, new universities were created in Maradi, Tahoua and Zinder to which the University Institutes of Technology were integrated. The IUTs offer a degree, called the "Diplôme universitaire de technologie" (DUT), in a one- to two-year program for students who have completed a Baccalaureate or equivalent. Programs vary by location:

University Institute of Technology Maradi

University Institute of Technology Tahoua

University Institute of Technology Zinder

Protests

1990 massacre

On 9 February 1990, 20 students in a peaceful march across the Kennedy Bridge into Niamey City Centre were killed by police and armed forces. This event, known as the 'Kennedy Bridge Massacre', has since been seen as pivotal in bringing about popular alienation from the government of General Ali Saibou.

2006 protests

In June 2006, the university temporarily closed due to protests and rioting. The 'Union des étudiants nigériens de l'Université de Niamey' (UENUN) called a general strike against the alleged withholding of scholarships as well as the deterioration of living and working conditions at the university. Students clashed with police, lit 10 vehicles on fire, while police used tear gas and batons on the students to prevent them from crossing the Kennedy Bridge, seriously injuring 10.

Notable people

Faculty

Alumni