The European-American University has disowned an honorary doctorate recently conferred on Nigerian political praise singer Dauda Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, describing the event as fraudulent and unauthorised.

Rarara was celebrated at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja on Saturday, where he was presented with the title in the presence of family, friends and admirers.

However, in a statement published on its website, the institution distanced itself from the event, insisting it never approved the convocation or authorised the conferment.

“The name of Musari Audu Isyaku is cited as ‘Northern Nigeria representative of the institution’. This person has no authority to represent European-American University, and this statement is false,” the university said.

It further dismissed the involvement of another individual: “Idris Aliyu is cited as being a member of the Governing Council of the institution and having represented the Vice Chancellor of the university. Idris Aliyu is not a member of the University’s governing body – there is no ‘Governing Council’ – and has no authority to represent the University’s Vice Chancellor.”

The statement noted that Aliyu’s 2024 fellowship appointment had been revoked “with immediate effect” for his alleged role in the fraudulent award.

Questions over the university itself

The controversy has raised fresh scrutiny of the European-American University, which itself has long faced questions about its credibility. While the school claims to be registered in France and to hold a Royal Charter of Incorporation from the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom in Uganda, it does not appear to have accreditation to award recognised degrees.

According to the university, it issues certificates through France’s validation des acquis de l’expérience (VAE), a process that recognises prior learning. Some programmes, it said, are administered under its purported authority in Uganda, while distance learning assessments are offered via its French base.

But a review of Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) shows that the institution is not authorised to award any academic qualifications in the country.

Despite this, the university has in the past bestowed honorary doctorates on high-profile Nigerians, including former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and Borno State Commissioner for Works and Housing Mustapha Gubio.

The disclaimer has left Rarara’s latest honorary title in doubt and has intensified concerns about the proliferation of questionable academic awards in Nigeria.