Journalists denied access to cover ABU’s 45th convocation

Journalists were on Saturday barred from covering the 45th convocation ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, after the institution’s security division denied them entry to the event venue.

Correspondents from several 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 stopped at the gate of Mamman Kontagora Square, where the ceremony was taking place.

A security officer, identified simply as Mr. C.K., said the action was based on instructions from the university’s Chief Security Officer, Malam Ashiru Zango. He told the journalists that they needed clearance from the Vice-Chancellor before they could be granted access.

The directive was issued despite the affected reporters presenting valid staff identity cards and accreditation tags earlier issued by the university.

The journalists protested the restriction, insisting they had been properly accredited to cover the event.

Leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) later intervened and contacted the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Mallam Auwalu Umar, who promised to address the situation and facilitate access for the media.

However, as of the time of filing this report, some journalists had left the venue in protest over the development.