Lawal Takes Over As 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 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.

He noted that the MAAUN Group had grown from its modest beginnings in Niger Republic about 13 years ago to become a group with four private universities across Africa. These include MAAUN Niger-Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna, and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

Gwarzo described the establishment and management of universities as challenging but said the group had overcome various difficulties through determination, sincerity, integrity and the grace of Allah.

He described Prof. Lawal as a “double professor”, noting that he is a professor at both MAAUN Niger and Bayero University, Kano. He congratulated him on his appointment and wished him a successful tenure.

Also speaking, Sokoto State Deputy Governor and MAAUN alumnus, Idris Muhammad Gobir, described the transition as a significant moment in the history of the institution.

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.

He commended Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education, describing him as a leader 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,” Gobir said.

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

Lawal, who previously served at Bayero University, Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Head of Department, among other positions, said he was honoured by the confidence reposed in him and pledged to contribute to the continued growth and development of the university.

The transition ushers in a new phase in the leadership of MAAUN Niger, with Prof. Lawal taking over from the institution’s long-serving president and founder, Prof. Gwarzo.