The European‑American University has issued a statement disavowing an honorary doctorate awarded to musician Dauda Rarara, stating that the award was not authorized by the institution. The ceremony, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria, was attended by dignitaries, including Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda. According to the university, the individuals who presented the award were impersonating university representatives, and the convocation was organized fraudulently without the university’s knowledge or consent.
The university confirms that it has not conferred any honorary doctorate degrees on Rarara or on the other individuals mentioned—Alhaji Ahmed Saleh Jr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa, and Tarela Boroh. Their Register of Graduates, available on the university’s website, does not list these names as honorands.
The statement also refutes claims made by certain individuals. Musari Audu Isyaku, who alleged to be the “Northern Nigeria representative” of the university, and Idris Aliyu, who claimed membership on the Governing Council, have no authority to represent the institution. Moreover, Aliyu’s appointment to the Fellowship of the University has been revoked due to his involvement in the fraudulent activity.
The university previously announced that former Vice‑Chancellor Dr. Josephine Egbuta is no longer authorized to represent the institution following her dismissal. The current Vice‑Chancellor is Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa. Legally, the university is a nonprofit private institution of higher education based in France, incorporated under a Royal Charter from the Kingdom of Bunyoro‑Kitara in Uganda.
The university plans to contact Nigerian legal authorities to halt the issuance of fake certificates by those responsible for the fraud. It will take further action to prevent additional fraudulent activities and protect its reputation. This incident underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of academic awards and the need for institutions to implement measures against fraud and impersonation.
Comments are closed for this story.