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The Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) has entered into a strategic partnership with Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) to strengthen creative and entrepreneurial capacity among its students, particularly those in their final year.
The collaboration, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, is aimed at equipping students with practical skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and, ultimately, employers of labour upon graduation.
The agreement underscores MAAUN’s broader commitment to forging alliances with relevant institutions and organisations in order to deepen innovation, expand industry exposure, and enhance the employability of its graduates in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the President of MAAUN, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Israr, described the partnership as a deliberate step towards bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry-relevant skills.
According to him, the initiative is specifically designed to expose final-year students to creative and entrepreneurial pathways through structured skills development programmes, practical training, and sustained institutional engagement.
He noted that the collaboration would provide students with access to TAFTA’s specialised training platforms, particularly for those with interest in creative fields such as film, content production, and other emerging sectors within the creative economy.
Israr further explained that the Memorandum of Understanding outlines key areas of cooperation between both institutions. These include the mobilisation of interested final-year students to participate in TAFTA’s training programmes, as well as the dissemination of programme information through established university channels such as faculty announcements and internal communication systems.
He added that both parties would also work towards increasing the visibility of their programmes and joint initiatives, thereby creating a mutually beneficial relationship that promotes innovation and knowledge exchange.
In his remarks, TAFTA Programme Manager, Abubakar Balarabe Isah, who signed the agreement on behalf of the academy, expressed confidence that the partnership would open up new opportunities for students to acquire industry-relevant skills and practical experience.
He emphasised the importance of integrating creative education with entrepreneurship, noting that such a combination is critical in preparing young people for the realities of today’s job market, where adaptability and innovation are increasingly in demand.
Also speaking, the Vice President (Administration), Dr. Habib Awais Abubakar, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also capable of independent economic engagement.
He described the agreement as a forward-looking initiative that aligns with MAAUN’s vision of nurturing globally competitive graduates.
Awais stated that the university would continue to seek partnerships that enhance its academic offerings and broaden opportunities for students, while also strengthening its visibility on the international stage.
Other members of the university’s management present at the event included the Vice President, Campus Life, Dr. Hamza Garba; the Head of the International Office, Engr. Bashir Garba; and his Assistant, Mrs Haresh Janvi, among others.
The partnership comes at a time when there is growing emphasis on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as viable solutions to youth unemployment in Nigeria.
By aligning academic training with industry needs, stakeholders believe initiatives such as the MAAUN-TAFTA collaboration could play a significant role in preparing graduates for both local and global opportunities within the creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
