MAAUN: A University That Refused to Wait for Disaster By Fatimah Yusuf Usman
At a time when insecurity is tightening its grip on Nigerian campuses, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has chosen to walk the hard but noble path: to protect its students, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular.
This resolve came to light recently when the university directed female students to vacate the Al-Ansar Indabo Female Students Hostels, a privately run accommodation facility.
For some, it was a shocking move. But for the university’s management, it was a necessary decision born out of responsibility and foresight.
The hostels had been flagged for multiple concerns—unauthorized movements at odd hours, presence of unidentified individuals, and activities starkly out of line with the university’s moral standards.
Dr. Hamza Garba, Vice President of Campus Life, minced no words when he said, “We do not want a situation where we are left responding to stories that touch—like cases of abduction or assault that could have been avoided.”
In truth, there is nothing more heartbreaking than institutions waiting until tragedy strikes before acting. Across Nigeria, off-campus student hostels have increasingly become soft targets.
The painful memories of over 20 female students abducted from Federal University, Gusau, remain fresh and haunting. That is why MAAUN’s preemptive action deserves not just attention—but applause.
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But this is more than just about safety. It is about values. It is about a university choosing to be more than just an academic institution. It is about being a guardian.
By insisting on proper hostel approvals and moral discipline, MAAUN reminds us that a university’s duty does not end at lecture halls and laboratories. It stretches into every space a student calls home.
This is why the school continues to work hand-in-hand with security agencies, ensuring that off-campus accommodations meet standards that prioritize both safety and decency.
More importantly, MAAUN is not doing this alone. The institution is calling on parents, guardians, hostel managers, and the wider community to join hands. Everyone has a role.
Everyone must care. Because when something goes wrong, it is not just a student that is affected—it is a family, a school, and sometimes, an entire nation.
MAAUN has chosen the difficult but right path: to act before danger, not after disaster. In doing so, it is offering a blueprint for other schools to follow. A blueprint rooted in courage, integrity, and leadership.
In an increasingly uncertain world, where the line between responsibility and negligence is often blurred, MAAUN’s leadership is refreshing.
It is a quiet, firm reminder that true education does not thrive in fear—and that the greatest institutions are those who care for their students, both within and beyond the walls of the classroom.
Fatimah Yusuf Usman wrote in from PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached via: [email protected].
