Get Guardian on GoogleProfessor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, President of the MAAUN Group of Universities, has denied media reports claiming he sold the Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja, to foreign investors for $50 million.
He described the allegations as false, malicious, and aimed at undermining his decades-long contributions to education.
Speaking at the opening of the Africa Entrepreneurship Summit in Luanda, Angola, on Thursday, Professor Gwarzo said, “I’m building a legacy in education. I didn’t sell Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, which has thousands of students, or the one in Nigeria, so why would I sell the Canadian University of Nigeria, which hasn’t even commenced academic activities?”
He confirmed receiving inquiries from Moroccan investors interested in the institution, but stated he was not considering any sale.
“Yes, some investors from Morocco approached me, but I told them I am not ready for that. My goal is to build a lasting legacy in the educational sector,” Gwarzo said.
Professor Gwarzo also highlighted his ongoing plans to establish another private university in Guinea-Bissau, part of a broader vision to expand access to quality education across Africa.
He urged the public and media practitioners to verify information before publishing or sharing unconfirmed reports, stressing the potential harm of misinformation.
“We must be careful about the stories we amplify. False narratives can mislead the public and tarnish reputations unfairly,” he added.
As the founder of four private universities, including Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (Maradi), Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (Kano), Franco-British International University (Kaduna), and the Canadian University of Nigeria (Abuja), Professor Gwarzo emphasised that his focus remains on strengthening educational standards and infrastructure in Nigeria and across the continent.
