The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi State, has dismissed one of its lecturers, Dr Usman Mohammed Aliyu, from the institution over an alleged case of sexual harassment involving a married postgraduate student.

Mrs Kamila Rufai Aliyu, a postgraduate student in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Engineering Technology, had filed a petition with the university management through her department to investigate the matter.

The student also accused Dr Aliyu of threatening her academic success if she did not comply with his demands. Upon learning about the petition against him, the lecturer filed a defamation lawsuit in court against the student, the department, and the university.

However, in the ATBU Herald Newsletter of April 22, Vol. 39 No. 5, the university announced that the Governing Council had approved the dismissal of Dr Usman Mohammed Aliyu due to sexual harassment.

The newsletter stated: “In its 96th regular meeting held on Friday, April 11, 2025, the Council approved the dismissal of Dr Aliyu for sexual harassment.”
The report also indicated that the dismissal followed a report by the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which found him guilty of the offence.

The statement further noted that 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 to the lecturer stated: “Following the report of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee finding you guilty of an 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 lecturer was directed to return all university property in his possession to the head of department and submit his identification card to the Chief Security Officer of the university.