Northwest University Kano has formally disowned a viral video circulating on social media that falsely claims the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, attended lectures at the institution to resolve an academic carry-over.
In a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Ibrahim, the management described the footage and accompanying narratives as false, baseless, misleading and entirely without factual foundation. The video in question actually captures the Emir attending a public lecture organised by the International Humanitarian Law Society at the university campus.
According to the statement, social media users subsequently appended fabricated write-ups alleging that the Emir had an outstanding academic deficiency and had approached the university to clear it. The institution categorically denied any such occurrence.
“The management categorically distances itself from the said video, write-ups, and the claims contained therein,” the statement read. “The claim is entirely false, baseless, misleading, and without an iota of fact whatsoever.”
The university urged members of its community and the general public to disregard the misleading content. It also warned against the creation, publication or circulation of what it termed false and defamatory material, signalling potential consequences for those who persist in spreading the misinformation.
The Emir, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a globally recognised scholar, has maintained a long-standing relationship with academic institutions across the country. His presence at university events is typically ceremonial or intellectual in nature, often centred on public discourse, governance and development issues.
Northwest University Kano, formerly known as Yusuf Maitama Sule University, has in recent years repositioned itself as a hub for legal and humanitarian studies, regularly hosting public lectures that attract high-profile dignitaries. The International Humanitarian Law Society, which organised the event attended by the Emir, is one of several student-led platforms driving academic engagement on campus.
The swift rebuttal by the university underscores growing concerns over the weaponisation of social media to spread unverified claims about public figures, particularly traditional rulers who occupy sensitive cultural and political spaces. In northern Nigeria, the Emir of Kano remains a figure of immense influence, and narratives involving his person often attract rapid amplification across digital platforms.
University officials have not indicated whether legal action will be pursued against the originators of the false claims, but the strongly worded statement suggests the institution is prepared to defend its reputation and that of its distinguished guests.
As misinformation continues to challenge media literacy in the region, the episode serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with content sharing. The university’s directive is clear: verify before you amplify.
