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From Kenneth Udeh
The Founder of the Maryam Abacha American Group of Universities (MAAUN), Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, has appointed Prof. Ibrahim A. Lawal as the new President of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN), Maradi.
The appointment marks a leadership transition at the institution after about 13 years of service by Prof. Gwarzo, who served as President of MAAUN Niger from its establishment.
The appointment letter was formally presented to Prof. Lawal at a ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with Gwarzo describing the transition as part of efforts to strengthen the university and provide other members of its academic community with opportunities to contribute to its continued development.
Beyond the leadership transition, Gwarzo disclosed an ambitious vision for the MAAUN Group: to produce a future President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from among its graduates.
He expressed optimism that the universities under the group would continue to produce prominent leaders across different sectors, including political leadership at the highest level.
“It is my pleasure to see one of us who is a Deputy Governor. Maybe tomorrow I will see one of us as a president of Nigeria,” Gwarzo said.
He noted that, with the exception of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), universities in Nigeria had yet to produce a sitting President of the country, expressing confidence that an institution under the MAAUN Group would achieve the feat in the future.
“I think very soon we’ll produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Insha Allah,” he declared.
Gwarzo recalled that the MAAUN journey began about 13 years ago in Niger Republic, saying the institution started modestly but was built on determination, sincerity and integrity.
According to him, the group has since expanded significantly, establishing three universities in Nigeria in addition to its pioneering institution in Niger Republic.
He said the growth of the group had attracted the attention of other university organisations across Africa, while acknowledging the enormous challenges involved in establishing and managing private universities.
“Running a university is not an easy undertaking,” Gwarzo said, adding that the group had overcome several challenges through determination and the grace of Allah.
He said the MAAUN Group could now proudly boast of four private universities across Africa Maryam Abacha American University of Niger-Maradi, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna, and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.
Describing Prof. Lawal as a “double professor,” Gwarzo noted that the newly appointed university president is a professor at both Maryam Abacha American University of Niger and Bayero University, Kano.
He congratulated Lawal on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would have a successful and peaceful tenure.
“On behalf of the management of Maryam Abacha American Group of Universities, we are congratulating you, and we wish you all the best. Insha Allah, we will see you when you are finishing your administration peacefully,” he said.
Deputy Governor Celebrates MAAUN Connection
The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and an alumnus of MAAUN Niger, Idris Muhammad Gobir, who attended the ceremony, described the leadership transition as a significant occasion for the institution.
Gobir said he was among the pioneer students of MAAUN Niger and the first set of students admitted into its PhD programme.
The Deputy Governor said he remained proud of his association with the university, revealing that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees from MAAUN.
He commended Gwarzo for his vision and sustained investment in education, describing him as a leader committed to creating opportunities for people to realise their potential and dreams.
“Alhaji Adamu Abubakar is the kind of person that we always pray to have in our community because he is one of those people whose aim is to push people to become better and create opportunities for others to realise their dreams,” Gobir said.
He further praised Gwarzo for investing in education on a scale capable of impacting thousands and potentially millions of people.
Lawal Assumes Leadership
In his remarks, the newly appointed President of MAAUN Niger-Maradi, Prof. Ibrahim A. Lawal, expressed appreciation to Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution.
Lawal thanked the MAAUN founder for recognising his potential and providing him with the opportunity to lead what he described as a prestigious university.
Before his appointment, Lawal served at Bayero University, Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Head of Department, among other academic and administrative responsibilities.
His appointment ushers in a new chapter in the leadership of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger-Maradi, as Prof. Gwarzo hands over the presidency after more than a decade of stewardship.
The transition also comes as the MAAUN Group continues to expand its educational footprint and pursue its broader vision of producing highly accomplished graduates and future leaders with the ambitious possibility of producing Nigeria’s first President to emerge from its growing network of universities.
