By Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Paris, France – June 14, 2025
Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, a prominent Nigerian academic and champion of higher education in Africa, has been awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence by the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris—France’s leading academic institution.
The award was presented on Friday, June 13, during the university’s centennial celebration and a major international forum focused on advancing African higher education and research partnerships.
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The Cité Universitaire, ranked first in France and 12th in Europe, honoured Prof. Gwarzo for his remarkable impact on education across Africa and his role in strengthening global academic ties.
As President of the Association of African Private Universities (AAPU) and founder of the MAAUN Group of Universities, Prof. Gwarzo has dedicated his career to expanding access to quality education and fostering collaboration between African institutions and the global academic community.
A Tribute to Vision and Leadership
Senator Jean Mac Sauve, President of the Cité Universitaire de Paris, presented the award, describing Prof. Gwarzo as a “visionary alumnus who has made France proud through his transformative work in Africa.” He praised Gwarzo’s leadership in establishing world-class universities, pioneering educational innovation, and inspiring a new generation of African scholars.
“Prof. Gwarzo represents the very best of what education can achieve,” Senator Sauve said. “His commitment to academic excellence and international cooperation stands as a model for others to follow.”
Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani, who represented the country at the event, lauded the recognition as a proud moment for Nigeria and the continent. She emphasized Prof. Gwarzo’s far-reaching impact on African education and described the award as a tribute to his relentless pursuit of progress.
“This honour speaks volumes about his visionary leadership,” Dr. Sani noted. “It’s not just a personal achievement—it’s a celebration of Nigerian intellect and African resilience. My own children have benefitted from his institutions. He has given hope and access to thousands.”
A Message to the African Diaspora
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Gwarzo expressed deep gratitude to the university and the people of France, reflecting on his academic journey that began in Paris. However, his remarks quickly turned to a call to action for African scholars around the world.
“Africa is brimming with potential,” he said. “But it needs its brightest sons and daughters to return, to build, and to lead. We must not only acquire knowledge abroad, we must bring it home to transform our societies.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to expanding education across the continent, noting that the recognition would inspire him to further elevate the MAAUN Group into a globally respected educational powerhouse.
Shaping the Future of African Higher Education
Prof. Gwarzo’s recognition comes at a defining moment for African education, as the world begins to acknowledge the continent’s growing intellectual capital. His work offers a blueprint for building sustainable, locally driven academic institutions that can compete on a global scale.
As the centennial ceremony drew to a close, the atmosphere was charged with hope and ambition. Diplomats, scholars, and education leaders left inspired by the powerful story of a Nigerian professor whose commitment to education is transforming lives and redefining Africa’s place in the global academic landscape.
Prof. Gwarzo’s honour serves as a reminder that educational leadership—rooted in vision, integrity, and service—can bridge continents and catalyze change across generations.
