Journalists Barred from Covering ABU’s 45th Convocation Ceremony.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline January 31, 2026.
Journalists were on Friday denied access to cover the 45th Convocation Ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, a development that has drawn sharp criticism from media practitioners and raised concerns about press freedom and transparency within the nation’s premier university.
Correspondents from major media organisations—including the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Daily Trust, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Nagarta Radio, and NTA Zaria—were barred from entering the Mamman Kontagora Square, the venue of the ceremony, despite presenting valid press credentials and official accreditation tags issued by the university.
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A security officer, identified as Mr. C.K., told journalists that the action was based on a directive from the Chief Security Officer, Malam Ashiru Zango, which required media personnel to obtain additional clearance from the Vice-Chancellor’s office before gaining access. The journalists protested the decision, insisting that their accreditation should have sufficed.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) intervened promptly, engaging the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Mallam Auwalu Umar, who assured the aggrieved reporters that efforts were being made to resolve the issue and allow media coverage.
The incident cast a shadow over the high-profile convocation ceremony, which features a pre-convocation lecture by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, and is expected to host distinguished personalities, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Observers say the exclusion of journalists from such a significant academic event undermines the principles of openness and public accountability.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 31ST 2026)
