Nigeria’s private university sector has recorded one of its most dramatic shifts in recent years, as the 2026 AD Scientific Index places the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) among the country’s top research institutions—just four years after its establishment.
The latest ranking—released this week and based on near real-time scientific performance metrics—evaluated 310 Nigerian universities, including 186 public and 124 private institutions. It also assessed 24 research institutes, five companies and two hospitals, highlighting the increasing intersection between academia, innovation and industry.
Covenant University retained its position as Nigeria’s top private university and 221st globally, with 16 scientists ranked in the top 10th percentile. But the most surprising development this year is the ascent of MAAUN, Kano, which now places 2nd among private universities in Nigeria and 416th globally, backed by seven scientists in the top global performance bracket.
Sector Experts React
Education analysts say the rise of such a young institution signals a shift in Nigeria’s research landscape.
Dr. Hauwa Sulaiman, a higher education consultant, described MAAUN’s performance as “a watershed moment for private university research in Nigeria.”
“For a university established in 2021 to break into the top tier by 2026 is unprecedented. It shows what focused leadership, investment in research and global partnerships can achieve within a short time,” she said.
Similarly, university governance expert Dr. Adewale Thomas noted that the ranking confirms a growing trend of private universities outperforming older institutions in research productivity.
“Private universities are becoming more competitive because they are agile, intentional about recruiting top faculty, and free from bureaucratic constraints that slow down research in public institutions,” he said.
Prof Gwarzo: ‘This validates our vision’
Reacting to the development, Founder and Chairman of the MAAUN Group, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, said the ranking affirms the university’s commitment to building a global research hub in Africa.
“This milestone is a validation of our original vision—to build a modern, research-driven university that competes globally. We invested heavily in faculty development, laboratories and international collaborations because we believe African students deserve world-class education,” Prof Gwarzo said.
He added that the ranking would motivate the university to raise its standards even higher.
“We are just getting started. Our goal is to be among the top 100 universities in the world within the next decade, and we have already set in motion new research centres, postgraduate expansions and strategic partnerships to achieve this,” he added.
Other Key Movers
Beyond Covenant University and MAAUN, other private institutions also recorded strong performances. Afe Babalola University, Redeemer’s University and Bowen University continued to expand their postgraduate programmes and improve laboratory capacity. Landmark University and Bells University of Technology performed strongly in agriculture, engineering and applied sciences, while the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) maintained its reputation for advanced scientific research.
Sector analysts say the overall improvement reflects a growing appetite among private institutions to compete globally, attract diaspora academics and strengthen research funding.
With MAAUN’s rapid emergence, observers say Nigeria’s private university space may be entering a new era—one defined not just by enrolment growth, but by measurable research impact and global competitiveness.
