MARYAM Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has hosted a delegation from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, to explore potential areas of academic and research collaboration.
News Point Nigeria reports that the delegation from the Saudi university was led by Dr Abdulhakam Abdullahi and Dr Abdussalam Maidaula.
The visit, which took place on Thursday, September 17, 2026, formed part of preparations towards the proposed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MAAUN and KFUPM.
The delegation was received by the Acting President of MAAUN, Prof. Ibrahim Alhaji Lawal, alongside other principal officers of the university.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Lawal described the visit as an important opportunity to strengthen relations between the two universities and develop areas of cooperation that could promote academic excellence.
He particularly emphasised the potential for joint research and knowledge exchange, noting that a partnership between the institutions could create new opportunities for students and academics.
On his part, the Vice President Administration, Dr Habib Awais Abubakar, called for a practical partnership that would go beyond the signing of an MoU, urging both institutions to identify areas of mutual interest and translate the proposed agreement into tangible programmes and activities.
There were extensive discussions during the meeting on possible areas of cooperation, including research, academic exchange, postgraduate studies, student mobility, innovation, capacity building and other areas of mutual interest.
Giving an overview of KFUPM, the team lead, Dr Abdulhakam Abdullahi, said the university, established in 1963, is a leading energy-focused institution with strong emphasis on research and specialised fields, particularly science and engineering.
He said KFUPM has established partnerships with universities and institutions across the world, adding that the proposed relationship with MAAUN would further expand its international academic network.
Dr Abdussalam Maidaula of KFUPM also contributed to deliberations on possible areas through which the two institutions could establish meaningful academic, research and student-development linkages.
Also speaking, the Director of the Institute of Africa Higher Education Research and Innovation (IAHERI), Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna, said MAAUN has over 70 active MoUs with reputable universities in 31 countries, describing the university’s international partnerships as a foundation for further global collaboration.
He also highlighted MAAUN’s academic profile, noting that the university has been ranked second best among private universities in Nigeria by the AD Scientific Index, which evaluates the scientific performance and productivity of researchers and institutions.
The KFUPM delegation later held an engagement with selected MAAUN students, where they presented information on academic programmes and opportunities available at the Saudi Arabian university.
The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, allowing the students to seek further information on the opportunities and gain greater insight into the programmes and possibilities available to them.
Other MAAUN officials at the meeting included the Dean, Postgraduate School, Prof. Ahmad Maigari Ibrahim; Vice President Campus Life, Dr Kabir Abdullahi; Director, Human Resources, Mrs Maimuna S. Bello; Director, Education Support, Dr Musa Uba; Head of International Office, Engineer Bashir Garba, as well as deans and faculty members.