Ahmadu Bello University Responds to Malam Waziri Isa Adam’s Claims of Unfair Treatment

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has issued an official statement addressing the accusations made by Malam Waziri Isa Adam, a staff member in the Department of Mass Communication, regarding his prolonged and incomplete PhD program at the University of Lagos. The university's response follows a press release from Adam, in which he accused the institution's management of deliberately obstructing his academic progress due to his outspoken criticism of the Vice-Chancellor's actions.

In a detailed press statement, Auwalu Umar, the Director of the Public Affairs Directorate, refuted Adam's claims, providing a comprehensive timeline of events. Adam, who has been an Assistant Lecturer at ABU since January 28, 2009, had enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Lagos in the 2010/2011 academic session. To support his academic pursuit, ABU granted him a three-year Study Fellowship with full pay, from November 22, 2010, to November 21, 2013, and extended it twice until November 21, 2015. Additionally, Adam received financial support from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and various university funds to cover tuition, accommodation, books, and research costs.

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Despite these supports, Adam returned to ABU in November 2015 without completing his PhD. Subsequent requests for further extensions were denied after it was revealed he was teaching at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, without permission. Multiple requests from ABU for progress reports on his PhD were ignored by Adam, leading to further denials of his requests for leave.

In his recent press release, Adam accused the university management of targeting him and hindering his academic progress due to his criticisms of the Vice-Chancellor. However, ABU's statement counters these claims, highlighting Adam's failure to respond to inquiries and provide required documentation.

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The university also addressed Adam's use of his newspaper, Education Monitor, to publish allegations against the institution, suggesting these actions were part of a strategy to blackmail the university into compliance. The statement noted that Adam's expectations of preferential treatment under the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, were unmet, contributing to his recent accusations.

ABU's management emphasized their commitment to transparency and accountability, dismissing Adam's allegations as an attempt to deflect from his lack of progress and accountability in his academic endeavors.