Voice of African Universities Condemns Blackmail Campaign Against MAAUN, Lecturer
The Voice of African Universities (VAU) has condemned what it described as a “malicious and targeted blackmail attempt” against a faculty member and the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the continental academic network expressed deep concern over what it called a deliberate campaign of misinformation aimed at discrediting the institution’s reputation and undermining the integrity of its staff.
The organization said it found the recent online publications and social media posts circulating false claims about one of the university’s faculty members to be “unethical, unprofessional, and contrary to the spirit of academic decency.”
“The Voice of African Universities views this as a coordinated attempt to malign the image of a reputable private institution that has made significant contributions to higher education and research in Africa,” the statement read.
The group noted that MAAUN has consistently upheld academic excellence, ethical conduct, and community service, and remains one of the leading models of private tertiary education in Nigeria and the West African subregion.
VAU called on media practitioners, bloggers, and online platforms to verify information before publication and refrain from propagating falsehoods capable of damaging institutional credibility and individual reputations.
“The digital space must not be turned into a tool for harassment or character assassination. Constructive criticism is welcome, but malicious attacks have no place in academia,” the statement added.
The organization reaffirmed its solidarity with MAAUN and the faculty member affected, urging relevant authorities to investigate the source of the smear campaign and take necessary measures to protect the rights and dignity of educators.
Founded to promote collaboration among African tertiary institutions, the Voice of African Universities (VAU) advocates for academic integrity, cross-border research partnerships, and policy reforms that strengthen higher education systems across the continent.