Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has called on the Senate of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi to “urgently reconsider the University’s decision to confer an honorary doctorate on Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, especially given the appalling and well-documented allegations of serious human rights violations under her watch.”
Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) had recently announced that President Hassan would be a guest of honour at the ceremony scheduled for April 11, 2026, where she is expected to receive a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa). The event coincides with the institution’s 25th anniversary.
Reacting, Falana in a statement today said, “President Hassan’s administration is committing egregious human rights violations including unlawful killings, torture, excessive use of force and enforced disappearances against the Tanzanian people.” Her administration has reportedly used lethal force against her own people including protesters challenging the credibility of the country’s 2025 elections.”
According to Falana, “The University should neither ignore nor appear indifferent to grave violations of the rights to life, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly—core principles that universities, as centres of knowledge and ethical leadership, are duty-bound to uphold and defend.”
The statement, read in part: “Honorary degrees are not merely ceremonial; they are symbolic endorsements of values, integrity, and public service. The University must immediately suspend the award if it is not to be accused of tolerance, indifference or even complicity in the grave human rights violations and the prevailing culture of impunity of perpetrators in Tanzania.”
“Hosting President Hassan as a guest of honour and awarding her a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) would undermine both the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
“It would also be entirely inconsistent with the fundamental principle of the rule of law, human dignity and international human rights standards that Nigerian institutions and agencies including the NSUK have clear responsibility to promote.”
“The NSUK must immediately suspend this unwise decision and demonstrate its commitment to international human rights standards, justice and accountability. The University must stand with the victims of President Hassan’s administration, and not the alleged perpetrators of serious violations of human rights in Tanzania.”
“I urge the National Universities Commission (NUC) to immediately, transparently and effectively investigate whether NSUK’s decision complies with the NUC’s February 2026 guidelines on the conferment of honorary degrees. Pending this, the NUC should ask the NSUK to suspend or reconsider the proposed conferment.”
“The National Universities Commission (NUC)’s February 2026 guidelines on the conferment of honorary degrees emphasize that such awards must remain exceptional distinctions reserved for individuals of proven integrity, outstanding achievement, and demonstrable contributions to society.”
“The guidelines caution universities against the indiscriminate or routine granting of honorary degrees, noting that these honours are symbolic and must not be treated as equivalent to earned academic qualifications.”
“Likewise, universities are required to ensure that nominees meet clearly defined criteria consistent with the values, credibility, and academic integrity of the Nigerian university system. The guidelines place a duty of due diligence and accountability on university governing councils and senates, requiring rigorous vetting processes, transparent justification for selections, and careful assessment of reputational risks.”
“Under the guidelines, the NUC can exercise oversight responsibility over the conferment of honorary degrees, and to ensure compliance with the guidelines.”
“Any award to President Hassan by the University would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the clear provisions of the NUC guidelines.”
“The NUC must immediately investigate the NSUK’s decision and hold the University to account for any non-compliance with its guidelines if it is to ensure integrity and public trust in its ability to enforce its guidelines.”
“The Supreme Court in Abacha v. Fawehinmi (2000) 6 NWLR (Pt. 660) 228 affirmed that the African Charter forms part of Nigerian law and can be relied upon to enforce fundamental rights against public institutions. Also, the ECOWAS Court in SERAP v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (ECW/CCJ/APP/08/08) underscored the justiciability of human rights obligations and the duty of public institutions and authorities to uphold accountability and the rule of law.”