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 a transition in the leadership of the institution, which was established about 13 years ago under the leadership of Prof. Gwarzo, who had served as its President since inception.
The appointment letter was formally presented to Prof. Lawal at a ceremony held on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gwarzo said the leadership transition was part of efforts to strengthen the university and create opportunities for other members of the academic community to contribute to its continued development.
He expressed optimism that the 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.
Gwarzo noted that, apart from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Nigerian universities had yet to produce a President of the country, expressing confidence that one of the institutions under the MAAUN Group could eventually produce a Nigerian President.
“I think very soon we’ll produce a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Insha Allah,” he said.
Recalling the history of the institution, Gwarzo said the journey started about 13 years ago in the Niger Republic, with the university beginning on a modest scale but driven by determination, sincerity and integrity.
He said the group had subsequently expanded its operations and established 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 acknowledged the challenges associated with establishing and managing universities, but said the group had overcome them through determination and the grace of Allah.
Describing the new university president as a “double professor,” Gwarzo said Prof. Lawal is a professor at both MAAUN Niger and Bayero University, Kano.
He congratulated Lawal on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would have 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 alumnus of MAAUN Niger, Idris Muhammad Gobir, described the occasion 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 admitted into its PhD programme. He disclosed that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD from the university.
The Deputy Governor commended Gwarzo for his vision and investment in education, describing him as an individual 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,” Gobir said.
He further praised 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, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal, expressed appreciation to Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of the institution.
Lawal thanked the founder for recognising his potential and providing him with the opportunity to lead what he described as a prestigious university.
Before his appointment, Lawal served at Bayero University, Kano, where he was Dean of the Faculty of Computing and also served as Head of Department, among other academic and administrative positions.
His appointment ushers in a new phase in the leadership of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger-Maradi, as he takes over from the institution’s long-serving President and Founder, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.