The Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has terminated the appointment of Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a senior lecturer, following his involvement in a sexual harassment case involving a student.
As reported by the ATBU Herald, the decision was announced in a Special Bulletin dated April 22, 2025. The dismissal was approved during the Council’s 96th regular meeting held on Friday, April 11, 2025.
The action was based on the findings of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which conducted a thorough investigation and found Dr. Aliyu guilty of misconduct.
A dismissal letter signed by Abdullahi Sulaiman, the Senior Deputy Registrar of the Senior Staff Establishment, confirmed that Dr. Aliyu was found culpable of engaging in an “indecent relationship” with a postgraduate student, Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu, from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
“The Council has subsequently approved your dismissal from the service of the University with immediate effect. You are hereby directed to hand over all property of the University in your possession to your Head of Department and your identification card to the Chief Security Officer” the letter reads.
The bulletin further clarified that the dismissal was carried out in accordance with Chapter 3, Item F, I, (o) of the Senior Staff Conditions of Service of the University.
Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu had in 2024 formally petitioned the University management, alleging that Dr. Aliyu sexually harassed her and threatened her academic progress if she did not comply with his demands.
In an attempt to counter the allegations, Dr. Aliyu filed a defamation lawsuit last year against Mrs. Kamila, her department, and the University.