How I established MAAUN At 28 – Prof. Gwarzo
AREWA AGENDA – The founder Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN) and Nigeria, Franco British International University, Kaduna and Canadian University of Nigeria, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo has narrated how he established a bilingual Private University at the age of 28.
Prof. Gwarzo who shared the story at the Freshers orientation ceremony of the University in Kano said his first journey to Niamey from France was around 2007 with a mission to established first bilingual Private University in Sub Saharan Africa.
He revealed that the procedures for the registration of the university got a headway when he met the former President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou who directed some staff to link him with the Minister of Higher Education at that time.
“I was opportuned to have audience with our former leader, my respected senior brother former President of Niger, President Mahamadou Issoufou, I told him I’m here to set up a private university. The president directed some of the staff to link me with Asman Mahama who was the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research at that time, I met Asma Mahama at his office, when he received me the first question he asked was, ‘Young man are you sure you want to set university because I was told that the President sent me somebody who want set up a University, he asked me which kind of university are you ready to set?’
“My replied was I want to have an English university in a Francophone territory. Mr Asman Mahama told me the laws of Niger did not permit me to set a private university with English as Language.
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Prof. Gwarzo said “What? Since I was coming from the President he will write a memo to the president and tell him that if he can give what we called exceptional approval i.e. presidential approval as a head of state that he agreed an English University to be set in Francophone country, Asman forwarded a letter to his president, the president gave him endorsement approval that he can go ahead and give me the license to establish English university in Niger.
He further narrated “When the approval came back still Mr Asman Mahama told me there is protocol to follow because you said you are going to establish an American University in Niger.
“At the end of the day, I met all the requirements and the University was established afterwards.”
“I recall that a committee was set up under a respected person, an elder, Dr Fara Maida may Allah bless him anywhere he is in the world. Dr Fara Maida after all observation of accreditation he wrote what we called ‘a favourable endorsement’, he forwarded it to the Minister. Immediately the Minister called me next week you should came and collect your licence and start operating Maryam Abacha American University of Niger, so we started In Maradi, we graduated a lot of students, today some of you have senior sisters senior brothers who were Niger graduates.
“Now in 2021 we are able to set MAAUN KANO, Still, Kaduna is going to start September next year, and Abuja is going to start 2024, Canadian University of Nigeria, so you see is just commitment, you people are young, you people have bright future than I myself, this is the reality I’m telling you, don’t be afraid I shouldn’t intimidate you. Yeah you can do better than I.” Professor Gwarzo concluded.
