The Academic Staff Union of Universities has described as ‘illegal,’ the promotion of Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, as a professor.
This development came after the union’s recent National Executive Council meeting.
The President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made the announcement at press conference.
The ASUU President said, “From information made available to us, Dr Pantami was not qualified and he violated the established procedure for appointment of professor. We are surprised that the government still allowed him to stand.
“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.”
It would be recalled that in September 2021, Pantami, alongside seven academics were elevated by the council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri to the position of professorship at the council’s 186th meeting.
Pantami’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.
Delineating on the development, ASUU President said “We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO”.
