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), bringing an end to his 13-year tenure as president of the institution.
News Point Nigeria reports that the appointment letter was formally presented to Prof. Lawal at a ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, where Prof. Gwarzo described the transition as part of efforts to strengthen the institution and create opportunities for other members of the university community to contribute to its continued growth.
Professor Gwarzo had served as President of MAAUN Niger since the university was established 13 years ago.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gwarzo expressed optimism that the universities established under the MAAUN group could produce future leaders of Nigeria, including a president.
“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), Nigerian universities had yet to produce a president of the country, expressing hope that one of the universities under the MAAUN group would eventually produce a president.
“I think very soon we’ll produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Insha Allah,” he said.
Gwarzo recalled that the journey began about 13 years ago in Niger Republic, describing the institution’s 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 the interest of other university organisations across Africa.
The MAAUN founder acknowledged the challenges associated with establishing and managing universities, stressing that running a university was not an easy undertaking.
He, however, said the group had been able to overcome the challenges through determination and the grace of Allah.
Gwarzo added that the group could now proudly state that it has four private universities in Africa — Maryam Abacha American University of Niger-Maradi, Maryam Abacha American University of 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 Maryam Abacha American University of Niger and Bayero University, Kano.
Gwarzo congratulated Prof. 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.
In his remarks, Idris Muhammad Gobir, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and an alumnus of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, who attended the ceremony, described the occasion as a significant moment.
Gobir said he was among the pioneer students of MAAUN Niger, particularly the first set of students 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 Maryam Abacha American University.
He also praised Prof. Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education, describing him as someone committed to creating opportunities for people to realise their 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,” he said.
Gobir further commended Gwarzo for investing in education at a level capable of benefiting thousands and potentially millions of people.
In his remarks, the newly appointed President of MAAUN Niger, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal, expressed gratitude to Prof. Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution.
He thanked Gwarzo for recognising his potential and giving him the opportunity to lead the prestigious university.
Prior to his appointment, Prof. Lawal served at Bayero University, Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and also served as Head of Department, among other appointments, before assuming his new position at MAAUN Maradi.
The transition marks a new phase in the leadership of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, with Prof. Lawal taking over from its long-serving President and Founder, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.