- University Disowns Honorary Doctorate Claimed for Rarara
- Ceremony held without university’s approval
- Legal action threatened against fraudsters
European-American University says the honorary doctorate awarded to musician Rarara was fake.
The university officially denied that it conferred any honorary doctorate degree on Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara. The institution said the event held at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja was organised without its knowledge or consent.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the university’s statement said: “The University has not authorized any convocation to be held in this location today, and this event has been organized fraudulently without the knowledge or consent of the University… European-American University has not conferred any honorary doctorate degrees upon Dauda Kahutu Rarara, Alhaji Ahmed Saleh jnr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa and Tarela Boroh.”
It also repudiated claims that individuals named in news reports such as Musari Audu Isyaku and Idris Aliyu were representing the university.
The statement clarified that those persons had no authority from the university, and that appointments and fellowships previously granted (for example to Idris Aliyu) had been revoked.
The university corrected misinformation about its location and governance. It said that although earlier references were made to operations in Dominica and Panama, those are not accurate, and its legitimate registration is in France.
It also confirmed its current Vice Chancellor is Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa, and not former VC Dr. Josephine Egbuta, who was dismissed.
The development has stirred reactions across the entertainment, academic, and public spheres. Supporters of Rarara initially celebrated what they thought was recognition of his contributions to music and humanitarian work.
But following the university’s disclaimer, many are calling for clarity about how such awards are vetted, and urging caution in accepting honorary degrees that may not be legitimate.
For Rarara and others named, the disowning of the degree could have reputational consequences. The university has said it will involve Nigerian legal authorities to hold accountable anyone behind the fraudulent convocation and the propagation of what it regards as false claims.
