Founder of the 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 brings to an end Gwarzo’s 13-year tenure as president of the institution, which he led from its establishment.

Lawal’s appointment letter was presented to him during a ceremony in Maradi, Niger Republic, 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 development.

He expressed confidence in the future of the institution and said the universities within the MAAUN Group could produce leaders capable of making significant contributions to Nigeria and Africa.

“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 recalled that MAAUN Niger was established about 13 years ago with limited resources but had expanded through what he described as determination, sincerity and integrity.

According to him, the MAAUN Group has since grown to four private universities across Africa: MAAUN Niger in Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna, and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

Gwarzo described Lawal as a “double professor”, noting that he holds professorial positions at both MAAUN Niger and Bayero University, Kano.

He congratulated the new president and expressed confidence that he would provide effective leadership during his tenure.

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

Gobir said he was among the institution’s pioneer students and the first cohort admitted into its PhD programme. He added that he obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees from the university.

He commended Gwarzo for his investment in education and his efforts to create opportunities for young people to pursue their academic and professional ambitions.

“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, Lawal thanked Gwarzo for entrusting him with the leadership of MAAUN Niger and expressing confidence in his ability to lead the institution.

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.

His appointment marks a new phase in the leadership of MAAUN Niger as he succeeds Gwarzo, who led the university for 13 years.