ATBU dismisses lecturer over sexual harassment of married postgraduate student

The authorities of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi State have terminated the appointment of Dr Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a lecturer at the institution, over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a married postgraduate student.

The case was brought to light after Mrs Kamila Rufai Aliyu, a postgraduate student from the Department of Chemical Engineering under the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, submitted a formal complaint to the university management through her department, requesting an investigation.

She also claimed that Dr Aliyu had threatened to jeopardize her academic progress unless she gave in to his advances. After learning about the petition, the lecturer filed a defamation case in court against the student, the department, and the university.

Nonetheless, according to the ATBU Herald Newsletter dated April 22, Vol. 39 No. 5, the institution disclosed that the Governing Council had officially approved the removal of Dr Usman Mohammed Aliyu from his position due to sexual misconduct.

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

It further reported that the decision was based on the findings of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which determined that he was guilty of the allegations.

The announcement also confirmed that the dismissal was carried out under the guidelines of Chapter 3, item f.1(o), of the university’s Senior Staff Conditions of Service.

The letter conveying his dismissal read, “Following the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee finding you guilty of an 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 lecturer was instructed to hand over all university-owned items in his custody to his department’s head and to return his ID card to the university’s Chief Security Officer.