Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), situated in Kano, has in the last three years reshaped the future of education in Nigeria. The university was granted an operational licence in 2020 and commenced full academic activities in 2021, which has more than 3,800 students studying different courses.
  
It is the first private university in Nigeria to have commenced academic activities with more than 1,000 students after it received 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 programmes such as the School of Computing, which offers Cybersecurity, 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.
  
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 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 that the price of land in Hotoro area, 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 the area.
 
One of the land agents, Muhammad Najume, said the rise in the price started immediately after the commencement of academic activities at the university. Najume disclosed that a plot of land that was sold at N20 million in 2023 is now 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 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 that should ordinarily cost about N500,000 in the last three years is now N3 million presently.
  
“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, submitted that the university has brought massive development to the community with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
 
 He said: “The university management recently renovated one of the community secondary schools which they decided to name after the founder, Prof. 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 also 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, spoke of the developments the university has brought to them.His words: “Before the university was established, we don’t make profit, but now there is security, we make a huge profit, and the place has become very busy. This is a massive development.”

Another businessman, Ibrahim Haladu, said there is now a 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,” he added.
  
Haruna Tijjani Kwa, a student of Business Administration at the university, who resides in the Kawo area, described the institution and environment as conducive.
  
“I’m enjoying my stay here, and I’m proud of studying at Maryam Abacha American University,” he stated. Umma Salma Auwal Muhammad, a law student who came 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 said.