Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN) Maradi, has matriculated no fewer than 430 students for the 2025/2026 academic session to pursue undergraduate studies in various fields of human endeavour.

The university, which was founded in 2013 as the first bilingual university in Sub-Saharan Africa, has been contributing to the training of undergraduate and postgraduate students in science and humanities

This is in addition to the promotion of research and innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Speaking at the event on Saturday, the Director-Campus of the university, Dr. Shu’aibu Usman-Tanko, reminded the students of the task ahead and urged them to always abide by the rules and regulations governing the university.

“Matriculation ceremony essentially denotes the formal admission of candidates who are adjudged, academically qualified, emotionally stable, and psychologically ready to cope with the rigorous challenges of academic engagement,” he said.

Dr. Usman Tanko charged the newly admitted students to be focused and avoid acts capable of tarnishing their image and that of the institution as the university has zero tolerance for misconduct.

In separate interviews with some of the students, they described MAAUN as a conglomerate of universities known for academic excellence.

“MAAUN has given us the opportunity to grow. As you can see, many MAAUN health science graduates with professional careers are working abroad. The university is breaking barriers and paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse learning environment,” one of the students said.

The permanent site of Maryam Abacha American University of Niger–Maradi located at Gwarzo town Djiratawa Maradi, is currently under construction with a sum of N10 billion committed to that effect.

Maryam Abacha American University has in its fold MAAUN-Maradi, MAAUN Kano, Nigeria, Franco-British International University (FBIU), Kaduna and Canadian University of Nigeria (CUN), Abuja.

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has urged the Dangote Group to scale up its investments by leveraging the state’s abundant mineral resources.

Speaking at the opening of the 3rd edition of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE), the Governor who was represented by the Director of Trade in the state Ministry of Trade Industry and Investment, Dr. Ahmed Agbo II, said already there is an existing high-level collaboration with the Dangote Group.

The Governor said Nasarawa State is home to several mineral resources that will interest the Dangote Group.

He commended the company for its job creation stride, adding its $100billion target for vision 2030 will further help,Not only small businesses,but the Nigerian Economy.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.

The State is home to the Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL), a backward integration project in the sugar sub sector of the Nigerian economy.

The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments on the African continent.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has said that the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 will support Small and Media Scale Enterprises in Nigeria

This is coming as participants throng the company’s pavilion at the ongoing 3rd edition of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE).

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the Trade Fair, Chairman of NASSI, Nasarawa State Chapter, Comrade Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the company’s achievement is a model for small and micro businesses in Nasarawa and Nigeria.

He said NASSI is partnering the Dangote Group to upscale small businesses in Nigeria in line with the company’s Vision 2030.

He said Dangote’s Vision 2030 is an ambitious target that will positively impact all economic activities on the African continent.

He said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems in line with the Trade Fair’s theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.”

He said through its flagship Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme(ESAP), thousands of youths across Nasarawa State have been trained.

Speaking at the opening of the fair, Regional Director and Senior Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.

A supporter of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has dismissed recent allegations against the former Zamfara State governor as false and defamatory, describing them as a calculated attempt to damage his reputation, according to a press statement issued on April 26, 2026, and signed by Alhaji Fahad Ogan Boye.

The statement said the claims being circulated about Matawalle were “baseless and misleading,” alleging they were motivated by envy and hostility toward the minister, and warned that those responsible for spreading what it described as falsehoods could face legal action, according to Boye.

Boye also referenced earlier accusations that linked Matawalle to banditry, stating that such claims had previously been raised and “proven to be entirely false and without merit,” according to the press release.

He argued that Matawalle’s continued appointment in the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu reflects confidence in his integrity and dedication to public service, adding that his role in government serves as evidence of his credibility, according to the statement.

Citing the role of Nigeria’s security institutions, Boye said the absence of any official findings against Matawalle indicates there is no substance to the allegations, noting that relevant authorities would have taken action if evidence existed, according to the press release.

The statement further expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what it described as his support for “patriotic Nigerians,” including Matawalle, and commended the broader security leadership for efforts to maintain stability, specifically mentioning Christopher Musa and Nuhu Ribadu, according to Boye.

Boye call on Nigerians to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, stating that such backing is necessary for national unity, progress, and security, according to the statement.