The Academic Staff Union of Universities has announced its decision to sanction the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri over the elevation of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, to the status of a professor.
In September 2021, Pantami, alongside seven academics were elevated by the council of FUTO, Owerri to the position of professorship at the council’s 186th meeting.
However, ASUUafter its National Executive Council meeting declared the promotion as illegal, arguing that Pantami couldn’t have functioned as a federal minister and still be teaching at the university at the same time.
This was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday.
He said, “You cannot be a minister and a lecturer in a university. It is an encouragement of illegality.
“Pantami has to quit as a minister and be tried for doing double jobs within the same federal system. He is not qualified. Pantami should not be treated as a professor.”
The minister’s elevation has generated controversy, with many faulting FUTO on the promotion of the minister, who was not teaching in the university and whose highest academic attainment was reportedly a lecturer before he ventured into politics.
“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” he added.
