I am writing to express my utmost dismay over the recent dragging of my university across social and mainstream media. What should have been handled through proper channels has unfortunately been blown out of proportion, causing unnecessary damage to the reputation of an institution many of us hold in high regard.
My university, the Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has been criticized by some students over the ₦750,000 graduation fee. Rather than constructively engaging the management, these individuals took the matter to social media, local radio stations, and even the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC). The circulating announcement instructing the university to halt collection of the graduation fee is, in my view, an abuse of power and a direct affront to the autonomy of a private institution.
While I have no issue with media platforms reporting the matter objectively, one particular online outlet—Solacebase—has repeatedly targeted MAAUN in a manner that clearly suggests an attempt to tarnish the university’s image. From my findings, the publisher has a history of unfairly attacking establishments owned by individuals from Kano. Regardless, God is watching, and I firmly believe that MAAUN will continue to prosper.
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MAAUN ranks highly on the AD Scientific Index and has become a centre of academic excellence, committed to producing reputable and first-class graduates who will contribute meaningfully to national development. For instance, my humble self will receive the Campus Journalism Award in Abuja in just two days from the Department of Mass Communication—an achievement seemingly ignored by platforms like Solacebase, which appear to focus solely on negative narratives. God will continue to protect this institution, in shaa Allah.
Now, regarding the student at the forefront of the protest: this is someone of questionable behaviour, who publicly insulted the founder and members of the management team. Is this the kind of character we expect from an undergraduate? A degree is awarded based on character and learning, yet here we have a student openly calling the founder of his university a liar. That is deeply unfortunate.
Furthermore, it is on record that 85% of students have already paid the graduation fee, including many of my close friends. I also discovered that several of those protesting are not even graduating students. It is disheartening to see a student go as far as branding the university a scam, creating social media accounts in MAAUN’s name, and circulating letters with the university’s logo—all in an attempt to ridicule the institution he belongs to.
Such actions warrant disciplinary measures because they bring the university into disrepute.
I wish MAAUN continued growth and excellence. May it rise to become not only one of the leading academic institutions in Africa, but one of the best in the world.
Long Live MAAUN!
Fateema is of the Department of Mass Communication Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria Kano