The European-American University has moved to distance itself from a purported convocation held at NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, where honorary doctorate degrees were allegedly awarded to Hausa musician and Tinubu supporter Dauda Kahutu Rarara and several others.

In a statement released on Saturday, the institution described the gathering as “fraudulent” and “organised without the knowledge or consent of the University.” It said those behind the event “deceived others into believing they represented European-American University” and collected money in its name.
“The University has not conferred any honorary doctorate degrees upon Dauda Kahutu Rarara, Alhaji Ahmed Saleh Jnr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa and Tarela Boroh. All holders of degrees from the University are listed in the Register of Graduates… These individuals are not honorands of the University and have no legitimate connection with us,” the statement read.

The University also disowned individuals named in Nigerian press reports as its representatives. It said claims that Musari Audu Isyaku serves as its Northern Nigeria representative are “entirely false.”
Similarly, it dismissed reports that Idris Aliyu was a member of its governing council or a representative of the Vice Chancellor.
“Idris Aliyu is not a member of the University’s governing body – there is no ‘Governing Council’ – and has no authority to represent the University’s Vice Chancellor. Aliyu was appointed to the Fellowship of the University with professorial status in Financial Management in 2024. This appointment has been revoked with immediate effect for his involvement with this fraudulent activity,” the institution stated.

The statement further clarified that the current Vice Chancellor is Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa, while former Vice Chancellor Dr. Josephine Egbuta was dismissed earlier this year and is no longer authorised to act on behalf of the school.
The University also addressed confusion over its status, saying it is currently registered as a nonprofit private institution in France and holds a Royal Charter of Incorporation from the Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara in Uganda. Past references to operations in Dominica and Panama, it explained, are outdated.
It confirmed that legal action will be taken in Nigeria to halt the circulation of fake certificates linked to the Abuja convocation.
“The University will be contacting the legal authorities in Nigeria to stop the issuing of fake University certificates by the individuals behind this fraudulent activity, who should face the full force of the law,” the statement added.