The authority of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has begun the process of verifying the academic credentials attributed to one of its professors, Abdullahi Abubakar, following widespread public interest generated by viral social media publication detailing his extensive academic profile.

The University said it was aware of the publication circulating on social media and would make its position known after completing the necessary verification process.

The profile, which has attracted considerable attention within and beyond the University community, attributes to the professor five doctoral degrees, five master’s degrees, seven bachelor’s degrees, 11 diplomas and several other academic and professional qualifications.

However, responding to enquiries, the Director of the Directorate of Public Affairs, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) , Awwal Umar, confirmed that the institution was aware of the matter and had commenced the necessary internal process to establish the facts.

According to him, the university would not be rushed into reaching conclusions, stressing that it would issue a substantive statement only after completing its verification.

“The university is aware of the matter and will respond appropriately after establishing the facts,” he said.

Umar added that the institution remained committed to due process and would allow its internal review to run its course before making any official pronouncement.

He stressed that no conclusion should be drawn until the verification exercise had been completed.

Meanwhile, the development followed widespread circulation of the professor’s academic profile on social media, prompting public discussion because of the unusually large number of qualifications attributed to him and his standing as a senior academic involved in teaching, research and other scholarly engagements.

Efforts by The Guardian to obtain the professor’s detailed reaction were unsuccessful, as repeated telephone calls placed to him were not answered.

However, in response to a text message sent, seeking his comments, the professor acknowledged the enquiry but said he was not prepared to respond immediately.

“Yours refers and noted, but not for now. Thank you,” he replied.

He did not indicate when he would provide a detailed response to the issues raised or comment on the qualifications attributed to him in the circulating publication.

As of the time of filing this report, the University had not reached any conclusion on the matter, maintaining that its position would be made public after completing the verification process.