Babcock University breaks silence fire outbreak report

The management of Babcock University has debunked reports of a fire outbreak on its campus, describing the claims as false and a product of “depraved, artificial intelligence–generated misinformation.”

The university also dismissed speculation that it had postponed the resumption of its second semester over the alleged incident, insisting that students are to resume as scheduled on Monday, January 12, 2026, in line with its academic calendar.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the institution’s Associate Vice President, Communications, Media and Branding, Dr Johnson Akintayo.

According to Akintayo, the attention of the university was drawn to a misleading social media post containing an AI-generated image purporting to show a fire incident on the campus. The post, he said, falsely claimed that the institution had indefinitely postponed the resumption of the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic session.

“The University categorically condemns this depraved publication as a complete mischief and falsehood, deliberately crafted to mislead and misinform our students, their parents and guardians, and the general public,” the statement read.

Akintayo stressed that Babcock University operates clearly defined and verifiable official communication channels through which information is disseminated to students, staff, parents, and the public.

“The University does not communicate official decisions through anonymous or unofficial platforms,” he added.

He reaffirmed that the resumption date earlier communicated to students before the first semester break remains unchanged, urging the public to disregard the fabricated story circulating online.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there was no fire incident whatsoever on any of the campuses of Babcock University,” Akintayo said.

He further assured that the institution’s campuses are safe, secure, and fully prepared to receive students as scheduled from Monday, January 12, through Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The university also warned purveyors of misinformation to desist from spreading unfounded and malicious claims, while advising members of the public to rely solely on official university communication channels for accurate updates.

“Babcock University remains one of the most secure and proactive universities in Nigeria and will continue to act at all times in the best interests of its students, parents, staff, and the general public,” the statement added.