Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, has come under criticism following a controversial statement alleging that students from Kebbi State gain undue access to university admissions despite low academic scores.
Speaking during a recent broadcast, Abati claimed that, “A boy from Anambra will score over 300 in JAMB and still be denied admission, while someone scoring 100 from Kebbi will easily gain entry into university and later become a permanent secretary or Supreme Court judge.”
The comment has sparked backlash, with many from Kebbi State accusing him of making unfounded generalizations that tarnish the achievements of its people across various sectors, particularly education, civil service, and the judiciary.
Shamsu Aliero, a public affairs analyst and Kebbi native, was among the most vocal critics.
He described Abati’s statement as “deeply misleading, defamatory, and reflective of ethnic bias,” adding that it unfairly paints an entire state in a negative light.
“Kebbi has produced top-tier professionals, legal experts, senior civil servants, and respected academics who earned their positions through merit and hard work,” Aliero said.
He also challenged the accuracy of Abati’s claim, calling it “factually empty and journalistically irresponsible,” and warned that such comments only serve to widen ethnic divides.
Aliero called on Abati to retract his statement and tender a public apology to the people of Kebbi and Northern Nigeria at large, cautioning that continued silence could provoke both legal and civic responses.
“Our people will not sit back and watch their contributions to national growth be diminished by uninformed commentary,” he stated.
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