ATBU Dismisses Senior Lecturer Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has dismissed Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, following serious allegations of sexual harassment.

Dr. Aliyu was accused of persistently harassing a married postgraduate student, Kamila Rufa’i Aliyu, through inappropriate messages and threats to her academic progress after she rejected his advances. The matter came to light after the student’s husband, Alhaji Ja’afaru Buba, submitted petitions to the university management, the department head, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In response, Dr. Aliyu filed a defamation suit at the Bauchi State High Court, claiming the allegations had damaged his reputation. The case was set for ruling on February 21, 2025.

While the university has remained relatively quiet on the specifics of its investigation, the dismissal signals a firm stance against sexual misconduct on campus. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to protect students from abuse of power and to uphold integrity in Nigeria’s higher education system.