The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi has denied a media report alleging that it was on the verge of issuing illegal postgraduate certificates to students of one of its affiliate institutions, the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAHPT), Vom, in contravention of National Universities Commission (NUC) rules and regulations.
In a press release issued yesterday by the university’s director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. Zailani Bappa, and made available to journalists in Bauchi, the institution described the report published by an online medium as misleading and damaging.
“The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has noted with grave concern, a publication by an online medium, The Premium Times, on Saturday, 21st June, 2025, with the caption ‘Nigerian College Undertakes Illegal Academic Programme’, and, in it, the name of the University was implicated,” the statement read.
Bappa explained that FCAHPT, Vom, is one of seven institutions affiliated with ATBU and had applied to run both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes under the university’s Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, which was forwarded to the NUC for consideration and approval.
He added that the NUC approved the undergraduate programme and denied the postgraduate request, hence, the University Senate declined to approve the postgraduate request which was duly communicated to the college.
According to him, the NUC approved the undergraduate programme and rejected the postgraduate request, based on this the ATBU’s Senate declined the postgraduate affiliation request, a decision that was duly communicated to the college.
The statement further refuted claims made by the online medium, which suggested that ATBU had finalised plans to illegally award certificates to the postgraduate students of the college which is in violation of the NUC rules.
“We are highly disappointed in this publication, for the fact that the representative of this medium has contacted our Public Relations Directorate where he was categorically informed that the university has no intention to, and will not award illegal certificates to any students of its affiliated institutions.
“It has never done that before and will not start now,” Bappa stated.
Zailani further expressed dismay that despite being briefed, the reporter chose to ignore the official position of the university and proceeded to publish false and damaging information.
The statement added that the ATBU is a federal university with excellent record and regard for academic excellence.
ATBU emphasised its reputation as federal university with over four decades of existence and commitment to academic excellence, discipline, and upholding high academic standard.
The university reaffirmed that it will never compromise its academic standards and will not permit any affiliate institution to undermine its reputation.
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