Prof. Gwarzo appoints Prof. Lawal as president of MAAUN Niger-Maradi

The Founder of 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.

Mr Gwarzo, who had served as President of the university since its establishment about 13 years ago, announced the leadership transition at a ceremony held on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, where he presented the appointment letter to Lawal.

He said the transition was part of efforts to strengthen the institution and provide other members of the university community with opportunities to contribute to its development.

Mr Gwarzo expressed optimism that universities established under the MAAUN group would produce future leaders, including a president of Nigeria.

“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,” he said.

He noted that, with the exception of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), no Nigerian university had produced a president of the country, expressing hope that one of the institutions under the MAAUN group would eventually achieve the feat.

“I think very soon we’ll produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Insha Allah,” he said.

Mr Gwarzo recalled that the group’s journey began about 13 years ago in Niger Republic, describing its early beginnings as modest but driven by determination, sincerity and integrity.

He said the group had since expanded its operations and established three universities in Nigeria, adding that its growth had attracted interest from other higher education institutions across Africa.

According to him, establishing and managing universities comes with significant challenges, but the group has been able to overcome them through determination and the grace of Allah.

Mr Gwarzo said the group could now proudly point to four private universities in Africa: MAAUN Niger-Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna, and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

He described Lawal as a “double professor”, noting that he is a professor at both MAAUN Niger and Bayero University, Kano.

Mr Gwarzo congratulated Lawal on his appointment and wished him 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.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and an alumnus of MAAUN Niger, Idris Muhammad Gobir, described the occasion as a significant milestone for the institution.

Mr Gobir said he was among the pioneer students of the university and part of the first set admitted into its PhD programme.

The deputy governor said he remained proud of his association with the institution, noting that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD from MAAUN.

He praised Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education, describing him as a leader committed to creating opportunities for people to realise their potential.

“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,” Mr Gobir said.

He further commended Gwarzo for investing in education on a scale capable of benefiting thousands and potentially millions of people.

In his remarks, the newly appointed President of MAAUN Niger-Maradi, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal, expressed appreciation to Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution.

Mr Lawal thanked the founder for recognising his potential and giving him the opportunity to lead the university.

Before his appointment, Mr Lawal served at Bayero University, Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Head of Department, among other positions.

The appointment marks a new phase in the leadership of MAAUN Niger-Maradi, with Lawal succeeding Gwarzo, who has led the institution since its establishment.