Gwarzo appoints Prof Lawal president of MAAUN Niger

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.

The appointment marks the end of Prof. Gwarzo’s 13-year tenure as president of the institution, which he led since its establishment. The appointment letter was presented to Prof. Lawal at a ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Maradi, Niger Republic.

Gwarzo described the leadership transition as part of efforts to strengthen the institution and provide other members of the university community with opportunities to contribute to its growth. He expressed optimism that the universities 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,” Gwarzo said, adding that he believed one of the universities established by the group would eventually produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Recalling the history of MAAUN Niger, Gwarzo said the institution began about 13 years ago with modest resources but grew through determination, sincerity and integrity. He said the group had since expanded to establish four private universities across Africa, namely MAAUN Niger-Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna, and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

He described the establishment and management of universities as challenging but said the group had continued to overcome the difficulties through determination and the grace of God. Gwarzo also described Prof. Lawal as a “double professor”, noting that he is a professor at both MAAUN Niger and Bayero University, Kano.

He congratulated the new president and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the institution successfully.

“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, Sokoto State Deputy Governor and MAAUN alumnus, Idris Muhammad Gobir, described the transition as a significant moment in the history of the university. Gobir said he was among the pioneer students of MAAUN Niger and the first set of students admitted into its PhD programme.

He disclosed that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees from the institution, while commending Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education.

“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 said Gwarzo’s investment in education had created opportunities capable of benefiting thousands, and potentially millions, of people.

In his remarks, the newly appointed President of MAAUN Niger, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal, expressed appreciation to Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution. He said the appointment demonstrated Gwarzo’s confidence in his capacity and commitment to the development of the 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 positions.

The transition ushers in a new phase in the leadership of MAAUN Niger, with Prof. Lawal assuming responsibility for the institution after 13 years under the leadership of its founder, Prof. Gwarzo.