Nigeria, Oct. 4 -- A Nigerian university notorious for abusing power and silencing dissenting voices has surprisingly pledged to "stand by the truth" and "sustain freedom."

Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, a professor and vice-chancellor of the University of Uyo (UniUyo), made the pledge on 9 September at the university's permanent campus in Uyo during a public lecture and a book presentation to commemorate the 75th birthday of Desmond Wilson, a rights activist and renowned professor of mass communication.

For decades, UniUyo has unlawfully sacked or suspended lecturers who demanded accountability or spoke up against alleged corruption and maladministration in the 33-year-old federal institution.

The most prominent case is that of Inih Ebong, an associ...