Overview and History of Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri, Borno

 
In the heart of Nigeria’s northeast, in the city of Maiduguri, Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri (AUM) stands as a remarkable symbol of educational ambition, regional renewal, and academic hope. Situated in Borno State—a region that has faced significant societal challenges, including conflict, displacement, and disruption of educational services—the university brings the vital promise of higher learning to a place where access and opportunity are especially meaningful. Founded in the early 2020s, the institution embodies a mission that transcends simply granting degrees: it seeks to contribute to community regeneration, intellectual empowerment, and moral formation.For many young people from Borno and the entire North East of Nigeria, the presence of Al-Ansar University means fewer barriers to quality tertiary education. It offers a chance to stay closer to home, engage with local realities, and receive academic training that is anchored in both global standards and regional needs. With its location in Maiduguri—a city that has seen both the impact of insurgency and the resilience of its people—AUM is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for transformation, not only educating individuals but also helping shape the socio-economic and cultural future of its immediate community.

As a private institution, the university enjoys a degree of flexibility, innovation, and responsiveness. This enables it to experiment with curriculum design, infrastructural development, and partnerships in ways that may be more agile than traditional public universities. It is therefore an exciting and promising player in Nigeria’s higher education sector, especially in an under-served region. In this article, we explore Al-Ansar University’s key aspects: its website and digital presence; its founding philosophies and motto; its founder; the historical context of its establishment; the leadership under its chancellor; its accreditation and recognition; the academic structure and facilities; campus life; and finally, its emerging alumni.

##Official Website
The official website of Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri can be accessed via https://www.aum.edu.ng On this platform, prospective students, staff, partners, and other stakeholders can find information about admissions procedures, academic programmes, scholarship opportunities, news and events, and contact details for the university administration. The website serves as the digital gateway into the institution, reflecting its commitment to transparency and accessibility in the digital age.

##Motto
While a formally documented motto is not widely available in public sources, the ethos of the university is captured in phrases such as “Thought and Service” (as referenced in full-licence documentation). This motto underscores two complementary dimensions: “Thought” highlights the importance of critical thinking, intellectual growth, scholarly inquiry; “Service” emphasises responsibility, community impact, and the application of knowledge for the good of society. The pairing reflects the institution’s aim to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also socially engaged.

##Founder
The university was founded by Dr Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, a philanthropic figure and former Federal Permanent Secretary, who serves as President of the Al-Ansar Foundation. Dr Dikwa’s vision for AUM comes out of his foundation’s broader commitment to education, community development and service. The Foundation has established schools, a women and children’s hospital, and other community-oriented entities in Borno. His role underscores the private initiative behind the university, reflecting how non-state actors can invest in higher education and regional development in Nigeria.

##History
The history of Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri is both relatively short and significant in the context of higher education in Borno State. The idea for the university emerged through the Al-Ansar Foundation, which, already engaged in educational and other philanthropic ventures, sought to establish a private university in a state where, until then, public universities predominated. 

On 4 January 2021, the then-Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, laid the foundation stone for the university along Gubio Road in Maiduguri, on a 100-hectare site approved for the project. 

This foundational event marked not just the beginning of construction but a public declaration of commitment by state and private stakeholders to the project.

By April 2022, the university had obtained a provisional licence to commence operations, making it the first private university in Borno State. 

Over the next years, the institution worked on infrastructure, recruitment of academic staff, installation of facilities, and development of its academic programmes. Its rapid progress was documented: by late 2024 the university secured full accreditation for many of its degree programmes from the national regulator. 

In August 2025, the university was officially granted a full operational licence by the National Universities Commission (NUC), marking its successful transition from the probationary phase.

Beyond these landmarks, what makes the history of AUM noteworthy is the context: Maiduguri and Borno State have been challenged by decades of insurgency, displacement, educational disruption, and infrastructural deficits. The university’s establishment in such a setting speaks to a spirit of resilience and hope. It represents the aspiration that higher education can play a role in rebuilding, empowerment and local innovation.

##Chancellor
At this time, publicly available documentation lists the appointment of Professor Fanna Inna Abdulrahman as Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, effective 8 September 2025. 


Her biography is noteworthy:

Born 5 March 1963, in Maiduguri (Ngumati, Monguno LGA), Borno State. 

She holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry (1987), M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry (1992), Master of Public Administration (1997), and Ph.D. in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry (2004) – all from the University of Maiduguri. 

She began her academic career in 1988 as a Graduate Assistant; she became Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in 2011. 

Her research interests include Organic/Natural Product/Medicinal Chemistry and Environmental Pollution, Impact Assessment and Management. 

She has published over 150 scholarly articles, supervised more than 35 M.Sc and 15 Ph.D. students, and served in multiple leadership roles (Head of Department, Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at another university) prior to her new appointment. 


Her appointment signals the university’s intention to bring strong academic leadership, research orientation and administrative experience to its rise.

##Accreditation and Recognition
Accreditation and recognition are fundamental to the credibility of any higher education institution. In the case of Al-Ansar University:


The National Universities Commission (NUC) granted full accreditation status for several of its programmes. For example: the Mass Communication programme scored 98.3% and was awarded “full” accreditation. 

The Computer Science programme scored 95.8% and was given full accreditation. 

The Economics programme scored 99.17% and also received full accreditation. 

In a wider announcement, the university claimed full accreditation for 15 undergraduate programmes in late 2024, with an average rating of 92.65% across them. 

On 14 August 2025, the Federal Government (through NUC) granted the university a Full Operational Licence, concluding its provisional period. 

These milestones reflect strong institutional compliance with standards in staffing, facilities, curricular content and academic matters. For prospective students and stakeholders, this is a reassuring foundation.


##Academic Structure and Facilities
Al-Ansar University offers a growing academic structure and a range of facilities to support teaching, research and student development. Below are some of the key 

Colleges and Faculties

The university began with foundational colleges (e.g., Sciences; Social & Management Sciences; Arts & Humanities) and is expanding.


Degree programmes span fields such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Economics, Mass Communication, Islamic Studies, Public Health, Biochemistry. 

Laboratories and Physical Infrastructure

The university has constructed laboratories, classrooms, offices and a 400-seater lecture theatre complex approved by the state governor. 

For computing programmes, adequate laboratories were highlighted in accreditation reports (though some equipment deficits were noted). 

Library and Learning Resources

Accreditation panels noted strong library support in core components (for some programmes scoring 100% in the library criterion). 

Continual improvement is needed in expanding library holdings for certain specialised programmes (e.g., Public Health) per NUC recommendations. 

Scholarship and Access Initiatives

The university offers automatic scholarships for self-sponsored students in the 2025/2026 academic session (with conditions) to encourage access. 

This initiative supports the institution’s mission of opening doors for youth in the region.

Governance and Quality Assurance

Full accreditation status for many programmes implies robust internal quality assurance mechanisms, academic staffing, curriculum design, and compliance with regulatory standards.

The university’s transition from provisional to full licence marks its readiness to operate fully within regulatory frameworks.

Future Expansion and Research Orientation

With its full operational licence, AUM is positioned to expand postgraduate programmes, research centres, collaborations and professional education. 

Together, these dimensions show that the academic structure and facilities of Al-Ansar University are deliberately built to provide a credible and modern university experience within a regional context.


##Campus Life and Facilities
Campus life at Al-Ansar University embraces both academic endeavour and student-centred support. Some notable features include:


A modern campus located on a sizeable land allocation in Maiduguri (100 hectares allocated) which allows for future expansion and provides space for lecture halls, labs, student amenities and green areas. 

Lecture theaters, laboratories and specialised facilities such as computing labs, science labs, and spaces for programmes in Software Engineering and Biotechnology.

Library and resource centre designed to support undergraduate research and study; while still growing, accreditation reports show library components are strong for many programmes.

Student services such as scholarship schemes (discussed above) and likely support systems for students from diverse backgrounds (given the university’s access orientation).

Given the context of Maiduguri and Borno State, campus life at AUM is also enriched by the university’s role as a safe zone for learning, promoting resilience, collaboration, and community rebuilding among its student body.

Plans for hostel accommodation, recreational space, and community engagement opportunities are implied by the founder’s and state government’s investment in infrastructure (e.g., road construction within campus, borehole works) at foundation stage.