Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has publicly denied claims that she was appointed a visiting professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), triggering confusion and debate across academic and media circles in the country. The clarification comes after headlines earlier this week suggested the internationally acclaimed novelist was among a group of scholars named to the honorary academic position as part of the institution’s efforts to bolster its global scholarly influence.
Initial reports, widely circulated by several Nigerian news outlets and university announcements, stated that UNN had appointed Ms Adichie alongside other distinguished figures, including African Development Bank executive Professor Kevin Chika Urama and University of Chicago scholar Professor James Robinson, as visiting professors. The alleged appointments were reportedly approved by the vice-chancellor, Professor Simon Ortuanya, with official letters dated December 18, 2025, outlining roles that would have involved teaching, research collaboration and student mentorship. The university described the move as a strategic drive to reposition the institution on the world academic stage. However, these reports have now been challenged by the author’s representatives.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening and signed by her communications team, Adichie’s camp said categorically that the claims were untrue. The statement emphasised that the writer had not received any such appointment letter from UNN, nor had she engaged in discussions with the university regarding a visiting professorship. The communication described the widespread reports of the appointment as “entirely false” and stressed that no offer had ever been extended to her. Her team also urged the media and the public to disregard the erroneous information and remove it from circulation to curb the spread of misinformation.
The denial has created a striking contrast with the earlier narrative propagated by some media that Ms Adichie had accepted a distinguished academic post at one of Nigeria’s foremost universities. This contradiction has fueled questions about the source of the initial reports and the processes by which such announcements are vetted and released to the public. Observers note that the resulting confusion underscores challenges in news verification, particularly in high-profile cultural and intellectual affairs.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, internationally recognised for her novels such as Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, holds a significant place in global literature and Nigerian cultural diplomacy. Her works address themes of identity, feminism and post-colonial society, earning her acclaim as one of Africa’s most influential contemporary writers. Her name attached to an academic appointment would have been seen as a prestigious addition to UNN’s faculty, and the subsequent denial has therefore drawn notable attention from commentators and the public alike.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, established in 1960, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected universities. It has a long history of engaging with scholars of international repute and promoting academic excellence. Visiting professorships, in general, are honorary positions that allow institutions to benefit from the expertise of eminent individuals while offering students exposure to global thought leaders. Critics of the current situation argue that inaccurate announcements, whether stemming from internal miscommunication or external reporting errors, can undermine institutional credibility and public trust.
In response to the conflicting narratives, some media outlets have clarified that while the university did issue a statement announcing the appointments of several academics as visiting professors, the purported inclusion of Adichie was either misreported or misinterpreted. Others have speculated that preliminary or informal discussions may have been misconstrued as formal appointments. However, no official explanation has yet been provided by UNN addressing the author’s denial or clarifying the locus of the discrepancy.
The broader conversation has also revived debate about the standards of communication between Nigerian institutions and the public. Media analysts have highlighted the potential reputational risk for universities when announcements concerning prominent figures are disseminated without clear verification from all parties involved. In this case, the absence of a statement from Adichie’s camp prior to the initial reports underlines the importance of direct confirmation in academia and journalism alike.
Reactions on social media and in public commentary have varied. Some commentators expressed disappointment that the anticipated academic collaboration did not materialise, seeing it as a missed opportunity for Nigerian students to benefit from the author’s insight and experience. Others have focused on the need for stronger fact-checking practices within newsrooms and institutional public relations departments. A number of social media users also called for both UNN and Ms Adichie’s representatives to issue joint clarification to quell speculation and foster transparency.
In the immediate term, the confusion has prompted renewed scrutiny of how appointments of distinguished scholars are announced and communicated. Academic experts have urged universities across the region to adopt more rigorous procedures when proclaiming affiliations with public intellectuals, particularly when such announcements have the potential to shape institutional reputations and influence student aspirations.
For her part, Adichie’s denial reaffirms her focus on ongoing literary and cultural engagements rather than an academic role at UNN. Her body of work continues to feature prominently in global discussions on literature, feminism and social justice, and her public interventions remain influential across cultural and educational spheres.
As the story unfolds, stakeholders in Nigeria’s educational and media sectors are likely to reflect on the implications of this episode, with potential lessons for how high-profile academic collaborations are managed and communicated in the future.
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