The European-American University has officially disowned the honorary doctorate degree recently conferred on popular Hausa musician Dauda Kahutu Rarara, describing the degree as fake.
The degree was awarded on Saturday at a ceremony held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, which was attended by dignitaries including Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda. The event organizers falsely presented themselves as representatives of the university.
In a statement published on its official website, the university denied authorizing any convocation at that location and stated the event was fraudulently organized without its knowledge or consent.
The university also denied conferring degrees on other named recipients at the event, including Alhaji Ahmed Saleh Jr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa, and Tarela Boroh.
Further, the institution revealed that individuals posing as its officials, such as Musari Audu Isyaku (claimed Northern Nigeria representative) and Idris Aliyu (alleged governing council member), acted without any authority. The university clarified it does not have a governing council and revoked Aliyu’s fellowship for his role in the fraud.
The statement also corrected misinformation about its leadership and location, stating its current Vice Chancellor as Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa, not Dr. Josephine Egbuta. It asserted legal registration in France and a Royal Charter from the Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara in Uganda, dismissing claims of being based in Dominica or Panama.
The university confirmed it would be contacting Nigerian authorities to take action against those responsible for the fraudulent convocation.