In a momentous recognition of his immense contribution to education across Africa and beyond, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, President of the Association of African Private Universities (AAPU) and founder of the MAAUN Group of Universities, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence by the prestigious Cité Universitaire de Paris.
The award ceremony, held on Friday, June 13, 2025, coincided with the institution’s 100th anniversary and an international forum on the Internationalisation of African Higher Education and Research. The event brought together renowned scholars and academic leaders from across the globe.
Presenting the award, Senator Jean Mac Sauve, President of the University, lauded Prof. Gwarzo’s steadfast commitment to expanding access to quality higher education on the African continent. He praised him not only as an accomplished alumnus of a French institution but as a proud representative of France’s academic values on the African stage.
“Prof. Gwarzo has made France proud in Africa. His efforts in building educational bridges and investing in higher education are worthy of recognition,” Senator Sauve remarked.
Also in attendance was Dr. Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, who represented Nigeria at the occasion. She commended the French university for recognising Prof. Gwarzo’s legacy, describing the award as a fitting tribute to his tireless efforts to advance education.
Dr. Sani highlighted Prof. Gwarzo’s remarkable achievement of founding three universities in Nigeria, noting that two of her children have benefited from studying in those institutions. “His vision and investments in education have not only impacted Nigeria but the continent at large,” she said.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Gwarzo expressed deep gratitude to the university for the honour, reaffirming his dedication to the global advancement of education. He used the opportunity to call on African scholars in the diaspora to return and contribute to the development of the continent.
“Africa is still a fertile land for development,” Prof. Gwarzo said. “We must take responsibility for shaping its future.”
He further noted that the award would serve as a motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence through the MAAUN Group of Universities, with a focus on delivering transformative education that drives socio-economic progress.
The Award of Excellence symbolises international recognition of Prof. Gwarzo’s enduring impact on global education and underscores the vital role of African-led initiatives in reshaping the continent’s academic landscape.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
