ATBU dismisses lecturer over sexual harassment allegations

In a decisive move aimed at upholding academic integrity and student safety, the management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially dismissed Dr. Usman Mohammed Aliyu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

His dismissal follows serious allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him by a postgraduate student.

The case came into the public eye last year when Mrs. Kamila Rufai Aliyu, a student in the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, filed a formal petition accusing Dr. Aliyu of inappropriate behavior and academic intimidation. She claimed that the lecturer harassed her and threatened to derail her academic progress if she did not comply with his demands.

Following internal investigations, the university found sufficient grounds to terminate Dr. Aliyu’s appointment, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy on sexual misconduct.

However, the University in its newsletter – ATBU Herald of April 22, Vol. 39 No. 5 disclosed that the Governing Council of the institution has dismissed Dr. Aliyu from its services.

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

The report said that the dismissal followed a report by the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee which found him guilty of the offence.

The statement further said the dismissal was in accordance with chapter 3, item f. 1, (o) of the Senior Staff Conditions of service of the University.

“The letter of dismissal, served on the erring staff follows the report of the Senior staff Disciplinary Committee that found you guilty of 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 directive read.

Aliyu was directed to hand over all the property of the University in his possession to the head of department while his identification card should be submitted to the Chief Security Officer of the University.