Nigerian university sacks lecturer over sexual harassment allegations

The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially dismissed Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering, following allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by a postgraduate student.

The case came to light last year when Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu, a student in the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, submitted a formal petition to the university, accusing Dr. Aliyu of inappropriate conduct and academic intimidation.

According to the petition, Dr. Aliyu allegedly harassed the student and threatened to sabotage her academic progress if she refused to give in to his demands.

Learning about the petition against him, Aliyu filed a defamation lawsuit in court against the student, the department and the University.

However, the University in its newsletter – ATBU Herald of April 22, Vol. 39 No. 5 disclosed that the Governing Council of the institution has dismissed Dr. Aliyu from its services.

The Newsletter reads: “In its 96th regular meeting held on Friday, 11th April, 2025, the Council approved the dismissal of Dr Aliyu for sexual harassment.”

The report said that the dismissal followed a report by the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee which found him guilty of the offence.

The statement further said the dismissal was in accordance with chapter 3, item f. 1, (o) of the Senior Staff Conditions of service of the University.

“The letter of dismissal, served on the erring staff follows the report of the Senior staff Disciplinary Committee that found you guilty of indecent relationship involving a student of the University, Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the Council has subsequently approved your dismissal from the services of the University with immediate effect,” the directive read.

Aliyu was directed to hand over all the property of the University in his possession to the head of department while his identification card should be submitted to the Chief Security Officer of the University.