ASUU Declares Pantami’s Professorship Illegal, Vows To Sanction FUTO VC, Others

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared as “illegal” the promotion of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Isa Pantami to a professor.

Pantami’s Professorship Illegal

During a press conference on Monday, February 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke declared that Pantami was not qualified to be named a professor.

Osodeke also vowed that the union would sanction the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) for naming the minister as a professor in cybersecurity during its council’s 186th meeting.

The ASUU president said the minister’s promotion violated the established procedure for the appointment of a professor in the varsity system.

He 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.”

ASUU also said it would sanction its members involved in Pantami’s promotion including FUTO’s vice-chancellor.

“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” he added.

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.

KanyiDaily recalls that popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi had kicked against calls for the sacking or removal of Pantami as Minister, warning that Nigerians will regret it he’s removed from office because the country needs him.