Chimamanda Adichie Breaks Silence: ‘I Was Never Appointed UNN Visiting Professor

Several online platforms had alleged that UNN’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, named Adichie alongside Prof. Kevin Urama of the African Development Bank and Prof. James Robinson of the University of Chicago as visiting professors. The reports further claimed that the appointments were announced in a statement dated December 18, 2025, and released by the university’s acting Public Relations Officer, Inya Egwu, as part of efforts to elevate UNN’s global academic standing.

However, Adichie refuted the claims in a statement issued on Wednesday by her communications team, signed by Omawumi Ogbe. She urged the public to ignore the misleading reports.

The statement clarified that Adichie had not been offered any visiting professorship and had not held discussions with UNN regarding such an appointment. It also noted that claims of official letters being signed and dated December 18, 2025, were inaccurate.

While acknowledging UNN’s special significance to Adichie—as the institution where she grew up and where her parents served as Registrar and Professor—the statement expressed disappointment that such a major claim was published without proper verification.

Adichie’s team called on the media and the public to disregard the false information and urged news outlets currently carrying the report to remove it immediately to prevent further spread of misinformation.