IOU Gambia Pays Courtesy Visit to MAAUN Founder, Seeks Activation of Partnership

The International Open University (IOU), in Gambia, has paid a courtesy visit to the Founder of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the two institutions.

The IOU delegation was led by the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Makie Taal, who was accompanied by other representatives of the institution.

The delegation was warmly received by Prof. Gwarzo and his entourage, including the President of MAAUN Maradi Republic of Niger, Prof. Ibrahim Lawal; Ag. President, MAAUN Kano, Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Haruna, and Vice President Administration, Dr. Habib Awais Abubakar; among others.

The visit provided an opportunity for IOU to reaffirm its commitment to deepening collaboration with MAAUN and to discuss the activation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the two institutions.

Speaking during the visit, the IOU delegation highlighted the university’s commitment to providing accessible, quality and values-driven higher education to students across the world.

Responding, Prof. Gwarzo welcomed the delegation and expressed MAAUN’s readiness to strengthen its relationship with IOU and translate the existing agreement into practical programmes.

He said partnerships between higher education institutions across Africa were essential to promoting academic development, knowledge sharing and innovation on the continent.

Prof. Gwarzo noted that MAAUN was particularly interested in partnerships that create opportunities for students and staff, strengthen academic capacity and contribute to the development of the African education system.

He assured the delegation that MAAUN would work closely with IOU to identify areas of the MoU that could be activated immediately, stressing that partnerships are more meaningful when they move from the signing of agreements to actual implementation.

The MAAUN Founder further expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to stronger academic collaboration, faculty and student exchanges, joint research initiatives and other mutually beneficial programmes.