The Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has dismissed Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a senior lecturer, over allegations of sexual harassment involving a married postgraduate student.
Dr. Aliyu was accused of harassing Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu, a student in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology. According to reports, Mrs. Aliyu petitioned the university management through her department last year, alleging that the lecturer made sexual advances and threatened her academic progress if she refused his demands.
Following the petition, Dr. Aliyu filed a defamation lawsuit against the student, the department, and the university. However, the University Council proceeded with its internal investigation.
In its official newsletter, ATBU Herald (Vol. 39, No. 5, dated April 22, 2025), the university announced that the Governing Council, at its 96th regular meeting held on April 11, approved Dr. Aliyu’s dismissal based on the findings of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee.
The decision, according to a statement signed by the Senior Deputy Registrar, Senior Staff Establishment, Alhaji Abdullahi Suleiman, was made in line with Chapter 3, Item F, I (o) of the University’s Senior Staff Conditions of Service.
The dismissal letter stated: “Following the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee that found you guilty of an indecent relationship involving a student of the university, the council has subsequently approved your dismissal from the services of the university with immediate effect.”
Dr. Aliyu was instructed to return all university property in his possession to the Head of Department and surrender his identification card to the Chief Security Officer.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
