Njala University has come under public scrutiny after the university denied former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Lawyer Ady Mayley, access to offer public lectures on the topic “Fighting Corruption – the Experience and Perspective of Ady Macauley’.
The lectures were supposed to be held at the Bo campus of the university on November 25th when the administration decided to cancel the process on the grounds that the students failed to follow ‘processes and procedures.’
In a brief statement in which he expressed his frustration,Ady Macauley remarked that: “With only few days to go, my much-anticipated public lecture on the theme: “Fighting Corruption – the Experience and Perspective of Ady Macauley” organised by the Njala University Student Union at their Bo Campus scheduled for 25th November 2025, has been blocked by the university administration after initially authorising it.
He charged that, while the University authorities say the cancellation is related to procedures, I am reliably informed that their action cannot be unconnected with politics.
“There are records to show that the Student Union followed procedure and gave the administration adequate notice and information about the proposed lecture. The decision of the university authorities to interfere into the lawful and rightful affair of students is unfortunate. This only goes to show how our civic space continues to shrink in the country in recent years,” he charged.
Lawyer Macauley holds the view that, “Academic institutions are supposed to be safe spaces for the healthy exchange of intellectual ideas and hold important national conversations. They must not be politicised.
He applauded the student body for its commitment to free speech, open debate and the fight against corruption.
“Universities are formative incubators for future leaders of our country, and given the prevalence of corruption in the country and its devastating consequences conversations about corruption should be welcomed by them.I will continue to explore avenues to communicate my views and experiences about corruption, governance, human rights and other national matters to students and other members of the public.”
However, the university administration reacted that the cancellation has nothing to with politics but that students failed to follow due process to convene such lectures.
