There is no gainsaying the fact that Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), situated in Kano State, has in the last three years, impacted education in Northen Nigeria and the nation at large.
The private university was granted an operational licence in 2020, and it commenced full academic activities in 2021, with more than 3,800 students now studying different courses.
It is the first private university in Nigeria to have commenced academic activities with more than 1,000 students after receiving more than 2,000 applications from students across the country, some of whom are foreigners.
The university started with four schools to create a path tailored to the passions and interests of Nigerians. At the moment, MAAUN, as is fondly called, has three schools housing 19 undergraduate programs such as the School of Computing which offers cyber security, computer science, information technology, data sciences, and software engineering.
The School of Social and Management Sciences offers accounting, Human Resources Management, Mass Communication, Banking and Finance, Economics, and International Relations.
The School of Health Sciences has Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, and Doctor of Physiotherapy.
The university also offers nursing sciences in the School of Nursing Sciences and the School of Law, which was recently accredited by the Council of Legal Education and commenced academic activities in 2023.
However, the university takes full advantage of its location in one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in Nigeria. To complement their academics and research, students at MAAUN choose their own extracurricular activities, from an array of ways to participate in sports, drama, and music to groups that celebrate cultures from around Nigeria.
MAAUN is now regarded as a blessing to Kano, considering the fact that the price of land in Hotoro area of Kano metropolis, where the university is situated, has skyrocketed.
Some estate surveyors and valuers at Hotoro GRA have attributed the rise in the price of land in the area to the presence of MAAUN, which is situated at Kwanar Maggi in Hotoro.
One of the land agents, Muhammad Najume, said the rise in the price started immediately after the commencement of academic activities in the university.
Najume disclosed that a plot of land that was sold at N20 million in 2023 is currently sold at about N150 million or above.
“This can be attributed to the economic situation and the presence of the university in the area. The skyrocketing of price has not only affected the Hotoro Area but has extended to the Kawo Community,” he added.
Another agent, Mallam Isa, also disclosed that a house in the university’s host community that should ordinarily cost about N500,000 in the last three years is now worth N3million.
“People are buying old houses to renovate them to hostels that will accommodate students,” Isa stated.
Speaking with a resident, who is also a house owner, Musa Okuri, he said the University has alro brought massive development to the host community with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
Okuri said: “The university management recently renovated one of the community secondary schools which they decided to name after the founder, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.
“The establishment of new private universities in Northern Nigeria will not only add value to the region by boosting its economy but will help in building cities in the area they are located in. This is exactly what the Hotoro residents are experiencing today.”
On his part, Usman Yahaya, a businessman in the Hotoro area who sells Shawarma and Burger, spoke of the developments the university brought to them.
He said: “Before the university was established, we don’t make profit, but now there is security, we make huge profit, and the place has become very busy. This is a massive development.”
Another businessman who owns a provision store, Ibrahim Haladu, said there is now a business boom unlike before the establishment of the private university.
“My business is growing, the place is busy, there are employment opportunities, and it’s as a result of the university,” Ibrahim added.
Haruna Tijjani Kwa, a student of Business Administration in the University, who resides in the Kawo area, described the university and the environment as conducive.
“I’m enjoying my stay here, and I’m proud of studying at Maryam Abacha American University,” Kwa stated.
Umma Salma Auwal Muhammad, a law student who came all the way from Maiduguri, Borno State, described the university as one of the best for providing them with a conducive learning environment and qualified lecturers.
“I live here at Hotoro. The people here treat us very well, I feel like I’m at home,” she stated.
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