Prof. Gwarzo Forgives His Critics and Awards Global Scholarships to 40+ First Class MAAUN Graduates

Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) marked a historic milestone on 19 December 2025 with the First Graduating Dinner for its pioneer graduating students. It was an evening that blended global excellence, deep gratitude, and a powerful reaffirmation of values.

Hosted on the MAAUN Nigeria campus, the event convened over 2,000 guests, including students, parents, academic and non-academic staff, dignitaries, and friends of the University from across Nigeria and multiple countries, notably the United States, France, India, and beyond.

The atmosphere was celebratory and profoundly inspirational. From the opening moments, the dinner underscored MAAUN’s international outlook, featuring congratulatory messages from adjunct professors and faculty members across continents with voices from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Pakistan, Canada, and many more.

These messages celebrated not only academic achievement, but also the University’s distinctive commitment to character, innovation, and global citizenship.

Leadership Reflections and a Call to Character

In a series of impactful addresses, the President of the University, the Vice President (Administration), and the Chancellor, Prof. Mahmouda Salouhou, Professor Sudhakar Kota, VC, Hensard University Bayelsa State Nigeria , paid glowing tribute to parents for entrusting MAAUN with the education and moral formation of their children.

They congratulated the graduating class and challenged them to remain disciplined, purpose-driven, and committed to excellence as they step into the next chapter of their lives.

The founder, President Adamu Abubakar Gwazo address stood out as a defining moment of the evening. He reaffirmed that character is central to the MAAUN philosophy, emphasizing that knowledge without values is incomplete. He applauded parents for their partnership and urged graduates to become innovators and job creators, not merely job seekers.

Drawing on the University’s growing legacy, he highlighted the success of thousands of graduates from MAAUN Maradi, now excelling across the globe, from Saudi Arabia to Canada and the United States as evidence that MAAUN graduates are globally competitive and ethically grounded.

The MAAUN Journey: Vision, Grit, and Purpose

A compelling documentary titled “MAAUN Journey” captured the audience’s attention and hearts. The film traced the Founder’s extraordinary path beginning at age 28 in Maradi and chronicled the steady building of institutions anchored in access, quality, and moral leadership.

Contributions from members of the University management enriched the narrative, offering a candid and motivating portrait of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in Africa’s potential.

He Founded four universities that include MAAUN Niger, MAAUN Nigeria, Franco British International University Kaduna and Canadian University of Nigeria, Abuja.

Parents took the floor to express heartfelt appreciation to Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, the Founder of MAAUN, for his visionary leadership and lifelong investment in African education. Many described his approach as deeply personal, treating students as his own children and working tirelessly to shape them in both learning and character.

Forgiveness that Lifts, Scholarships that Open the World

The evening reached its most powerful crescendo when the Founder continues addressing the gathering. In a moment marked by humility and grace, Professor Gwarzo publicly forgave all those who had sought to malign his name or undermine the University.

He transformed adversity into purpose, announcing the award of international scholarships to over 40 First Class graduates, enabling them to pursue further studies at any university of their choice anywhere in the world.

This extraordinary gesture of forgiveness carried forward as opportunity was met with resounding applause. It captured the essence of MAAUN: leadership that heals, excellence that empowers, and generosity that opens global pathways.

A Night that Defined a Legacy

As the evening concluded, the joy was unmistakable. Parents and students alike celebrated the Founder’s simplicity, kindness, and steadfast commitment to nurturing responsible global citizens. The First Graduating Dinner did more than mark an academic milestone; it set a moral and intellectual benchmark for generations to come.

MAAUN Nigeria has announced itself, not only as a university of firsts but as an institution where character leads, forgiveness elevates, and excellence knows no borders.