Abel Maharramov was born on 5 January 1950. In 1966, he completed his secondary education with honors. The same year he entered  Baku State University, Faculty of Chemistry, graduating in 1971. In 1973, he embarked on postgraduate studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

In 1976, he defended his PhD thesis. In 1991, Abel Maharramov obtained a ScD degree and became a professor. From 1993 to 1999, he was dean of the Faculty of Chemistry. He has been rector of Baku State University since 1999. Abel Maharramov has chaired the Department of Organic Chemistry since 2002. He founded Fine Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory under the department.

His research activity covers a broad range of chemical areas (organic, oil, polymer, nanomaterials and crystal chemistry). Under him, High Technologies Center was founded at the university.

In 2000, Abel Maharramov received the title “Merited Scientist” and “Shohrat” Order in 2009. In 2001, he was elected a corresponding and in 2007 a full member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

In 2000, he was awarded “Golden Medal” of the Organization of Economic Cooperation, in 2004 “Golden Star” Commander degree Order of Romania, and in 2012 “ISESCO Award in Science and Technology”.

He holds honorary doctorate from universities in many countries (Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan, Romania, etc.), and is also an honorary professor of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University. He has been a member of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia since 2014.

He has published more than 1,200 papers in Azerbaijan and abroad. He is the holder of 54 patents, and has authored 19 monographs, 51 textbooks and education handbooks.

He has supervised more than 50 ScD and PhD students in chemical sciences to completion. He has chaired the Organic Chemistry ScD and PhD Theses Council under BSU.

From 2005 to 2010, Abel Maharramov was elected a member of the 3rd and 4th convocations of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan.