February 14, (THEWILL) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday declared the promotion of Isa Ali Pantami from the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, to a professor of cybersecurity as illegal.
Addressing a press conference after the National Executive Council meeting in Lagos, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said promoting the minister to a professor was ‘illegal’.
According to Osodeke, it is impossible to be a minister and a lecturer at the same time, describing the promotion as encouragement of illegality.
THEWILL had reported that the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, awarded Pantami, professor of cybersecurity.
But ASUU on Monday gave Pantami the option of quitting his job as a minister, saying he is currently not qualified to be treated as a professor.
“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.
“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” said Osodeke.
The Union said it has concluded plans to sanction its members in FUTO and the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti over the “illegal” professorial award.
“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” Osodeke added.
Pantami alongside seven others in September 2021, was promoted by FUTO to the position of a professorship at the council’s 186th meeting.
The decision of FUTO was condemned as the minister was not teaching in the university and his highest academic attainment was reportedly a lecturer before he ventured into politics.
The FUTO Alumni Association National Executive Council had in September queried the university’s management over the minister’s promotion.
The association had requested “the records of the proceedings of the University Governing Council meeting at which this appointment was made” as well as the “Details of the academic publications by Mr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami on which basis he was examined and offered this appointment.”
