The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU on Monday faulted the promotion to the rank of a professor of the minister of communication and digital economy, Isa Pantami.
The stance of ASUU was taken at its National Executive Council meeting, where the union declared the the promotion of the minister of communications and digital economy’s promotion as “illegal”.
It was reported that the award of the professor rank to Pantami has been the subject of much controversy over claims by stakeholders that it was irregular.
The formal position of ASUU was declared at a press conference addressed by the President of the union, 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 ASUU president said.
Recall 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.
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 (Pantami’s) promotion and the VC of FUTO,” he added.
