Fact-Check: Did Governor Ganduje of Kano Donate N100million to University of Ibadan?

Fact-Check: Did Governor Ganduje of Kano Donate N100million to University of Ibadan?

Claim

It was claimed that Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje donated the sum of N100 million naira to his alma mater, the University of Ibadan for the construction of a lecture theatre that was named after him.  

Full Text

On March 13, 2022, a Facebook user, ‘Aminu Yansamari’ posted a photo of  Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje displaying a cheque of N100million bearing the name of Fidelity Bank which was said to have been donated to the University of Ibadan. In his words; “Baba Ganduje has travelled to University of Ibadan and donated N100million but they hung a drum on his shoulder.”

The user opined that the governor could have donated the money to the two state owned Universities (Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil and Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano) in the state, to construct lecture halls and hostels for the benefit of the students. He further claimed that the gesture can be extended to include secondary and primary schools so as to make chairs for their students to sit.

About Ganduje’s Trip to University of Ibadan

Governor Ganduje was actually at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital on Saturday March 12, 2022 for the launching of the N250 million Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje Lecture Theatre situated at the Faculty of Basic Medical Science of the University.   Ganduje, who was the Guest Speaker, also bagged the Most Distinguished Alumni Award of the University at the event.

In his speech, the governor attributed the challenges of nation-building in Nigeria to the faulty foundation laid by the colonial masters. According to him, this was purely done to actualise their interests and not for any genuine development of the country.

The governor said that the nation’s founding fathers tried to deal with the challenge by adopting federalism and advocating a policy of unity-in-diversity.

Verification

A simple online check on the media that reported the event such as The Nation, Thisday, Tribune, Sun News, and others,  showed no any place where the governor was reported to have donated a specific amount  of money for that particular project.

Also, background check on the Facebook pages of his aides, including Commissioner of Information,  Malam Muhammad Garba and Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar did not showcase any information on the governor’s monetary contribution to that course but rather photos associated with the event.

Similarly, University of Ibadan’s social media account and official website did not report receipt of any such donation from the Governor. 

However, further check on the Facebook Page of Aminu Dahiru, Senior Special Assistant, Photography to governor Ganduje suggested that, the Kano Business Community who were mobilized by the governor are responsible for donating almost the amount required for the project.

The statement as posted on his Facebook page reads below;

“Kano state business community donated over N200 Million at Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Auditorium Appeal Fund. Of which the ground-breaking ceremony took place on Friday at Dame Okowa Auditorium, Dr. Michael Omolaye Alumni Complex University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

“The governor, who mobilized the business community for the purpose, earned his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Public Administration from the University between 1989 and 1993.

“Those who performed wonderfully well at the Appeal Fund event included Alh. Isah Gerawa, Alh. Yahaya Tahir, Alh. Uba Danbayye, Hon. Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, among others.

“The event was also graced by His Royal Highness the Emir of Kano, Ahaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

“Governor Ganduje outstandingly bagged the most Distinguished Alumnus Award at the occasion.

“In his remarks, governor Ganduje appreciated the Kano business moguls, members of House of Representatives, 5 Kano Emirates, members of the State House of Assembly, Commissioners, 44 LGs Chairmen for offering their support to make the project a reality.”

Several efforts to further get clarification on the issue were to no avail as text message sent to the Chief Press Secretary, Malam Abba Anwar was never replied to as at press time.

Verdict

There was no evidence anywhere that governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje donated such sum of money to the University of Ibadan. Thus, the claim is not true.  

Conclusion

Available evidence based on series of verification steps including his speech at the event did not reveal anywhere that Governor Ganduje personally made any monetary commitment to the University of Ibadan, therefore, the claim that he has donated N100million to Institution is not true.