By Our Correspondent

National News – Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged the management of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), to suspend its plan to confer an honorary doctorate on Tanzania’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, during the university’s 25th anniversary ceremony scheduled for April 11, 2026.

Falana argued that the proposed honour risks endorsing alleged human rights abuses linked to the Tanzanian government.

He claimed that President Hassan’s administration has been accused of unlawful killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of force, particularly against citizens who protested the credibility of the country’s 2025 elections.

In a statement, Falana emphasized that universities must not overlook credible allegations of human rights violations.

He warned that honorary degrees are not mere ceremonial gestures but symbolic endorsements of integrity, values, and public service.

According to him, conferring such an award under the current circumstances could suggest tolerance or indifference toward serious abuses.

Falana further appealed to the National Universities Commission (NUC) to review the university’s decision.

He argued that the move may conflict with the commission’s February 2026 guidelines on honorary awards, which mandate transparency, due diligence, and recognition of individuals with proven integrity and significant societal impact.

He urged the university to demonstrate commitment to justice, human dignity, and international human rights standards by suspending the award.

Falana maintained that proceeding with the conferment could damage the institution’s reputation and weaken public confidence in its moral leadership.

The rights advocate stressed that institutions of higher learning play a vital role in promoting ethical leadership and safeguarding democratic values.

He insisted that upholding these principles is critical for Nigeria’s education sector and global reputation.