Cyprus Universities Association (CUA) President and Girne American University (GAU) Founding Rector Serhat Akpınar recently published a statement about the news reflecting the TRNC and TRNC Universities in the Nigerian press.

Akpınar mentioned the following in the letter he published;

“I would like to initially express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Ibrahim Khaleel Bello’s family on behalf of all Girne American University community as well as the Cyprus Universities Association. We are mourning the loss of a young, bright man whose passing has deeply saddened us. We trust in the TRNC legal system and the due process in investigation of the passing of Ibrahim Khaleel Bello. Girne American University has and shall continue to cooperate with the authorities in the investigations.

The recent news in Nigerian media hosted accusations from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and these news have been conveying a false image of the Turkish Republic of Northen Cyprus, as well as the universities in northern Cyprus. Northern Cyprus is a student-friendly island with a number of reputable universities with international accreditations and memberships. These accusations are not only groundless, they are published without a fact-check, and reflect a distorted image of the TRNC and the higher education institutions in Northern Cyprus. 

There is a large number of graduates from Northern Cyprus universities who are working in reputable institutions both in Nigeria, as well as all over the world. For over 35 years TRNC has been welcoming bright international students who proceed with their education and their careers with no issues in their transition or recognition. The caliber of education that the Nigerian students as well as other international students receive in Northern Cyprus is at par with the leading higher education institutions, and the strentgh of the training opens doors to new possibilities for people from all walks of life – and often through the generous scholarships offered by the private universities and/or the TRNC government. 

As the Cyprus Universities Association, we consider the allegations published by the local news outlets as no journalism, but as libel. These articles are defamatory to the rule of law in TRNC, to the higher education institutions on the island, and their collective alumni spanning over 10,000 Nigerians. Our hope is to put an end to these allegations and avoid taking legal action to preserve our rights.”