Carnegie Mellon University in the United States has launched a review of social-media posts by Nigerian-born professor, Dr Uju Anya, after one of her recent posts triggered widespread backlash online.
The university described the posts as “hostile and threatening” and said they were contrary to its community standards and commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming campus.
Anya, an associate professor in Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics, is currently on voluntary professional leave and is not teaching courses on the university’s campus during the 2026–27 academic year.
The controversy followed a response Anya reportedly posted on X after a user accused her of celebrating the deaths of white people.
In the response, Anya wrote: “Die first, white man, then ask yourself why I’m dancing.”
The post subsequently attracted widespread attention after it was shared by billionaire Elon Musk, triggering further scrutiny of Anya’s previous social-media comments. Her X account has since been deleted.
Carnegie Mellon subsequently distanced itself from the comments, making it clear that Anya’s posts should not be interpreted as representing the university.
The university said it was “deeply concerned” by the recent posts and was reviewing the matter closely.
The latest controversy is not the first time Anya has faced criticism over her social-media comments.
In 2022, she attracted international attention after posting about the then ailing Queen Elizabeth II, wishing that the monarch’s death would be painful. She also previously celebrated the death of conservative American radio host Rush Limbaugh.
Anya has maintained that she was subjected to racist abuse and harassment online following the latest controversy. Reports also indicate that she has refused to apologise for her comments.
The Carnegie Mellon review is expected to determine whether her social-media conduct violates the university’s policies or standards and what further action, if any, should be taken.
