US-Based Nigerian Professor Who Won $300,000 Prize, Saheed Aderinto Disowns Fake Twitter Account ‘Asking Tinubu To Return Stolen Mandate’

 

United States-based Nigerian professor, who won the Dan David history prize of $300,000, Saheed Aderinto has denied asking Nigerian President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return “stolen mandate.”

Aderinto, a professor of History and African Diaspora Studies at Florida International University, is the first Nigerian to win the prize.

He was among the nine scholars who clinched the award considered the largest history prize in the world.

In a congratulatory message on Twitter, Tinubu had commended the professor for placing Nigeria, Africa on the global map.

“By this rare achievement, Prof. Aderinto has not only further etched his name in academic excellence but has also made Nigeria, Africa and the entire Black race proud, for which we must all remain thankful to him,” Tinubu had said.

“I commend the Selection Committee of the international award for recognizing the useful contributions of Prof. Aderinto to the study of History and for making an excellent pick.

“It is noteworthy that the Selection Committee eulogized the Nigerian, saying, in his work, he “situates African history at the cutting edge of diverse literatures in the histories of sexuality, nonhumans and violence, noting that it is exceptional to see a single person leading scholarship in all these fields.

“This academic accomplishment speaks to the Nigerian can-do spirit and our ability to be the very best we can be wherever and in whatever field we find ourselves. The award has again underscored the importance of the study of history in our schools.”

However, a Twitter account with the Professor’s name while sharing Tinubu’s post asked him to return the mandate he allegedly stole.

“Thanks anyway for the recognition, I hope you restore Our stolen Mandate,” the user who seemed to be operating a fake account of the US Professor said.

Reacting on his official Facebook account, Aderinto asked Nigerians to be wary of the Twitter user.

“It has come to my attention that a fake Twitter account has been opened in my name. I don't have a Twitter account,” he said.