“Nothing Could Be Farther From The Truth” – ASUU Rejects Pantami As A Professor

The National body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the appointment of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as a Professor.

This position was made known by the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke who observed that the professorial appointment has attracted an unprecedented level of controversy in the history of Nigerian Universities.

He also denied insinuations that the national body has endorsed the resolution by the ASUU branch in the Federal University of Technology (FUTO) which recently proclaimed that due process was followed in the appointment of Pantami as a Professor of Cyber Security.

Osodeke spoke during a briefing after the union’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting at the University of Abuja, held between November 13 and 14.

Speaking further, the ASUU President said the union will never support “any illegal appointment or promotion of academics in any Nigerian University, including those of its members.”

He added that the role played by FUTO officials, as well as members of ASUU in FUTO which culminated in the controversial appointment of Dr. Isa Pantami as a Professor of Cyber Security is now a subject of investigation by an independent committee set up by the national body.

Osodeke said: “The controversy this appointment has generated is unprecedented in the recent history of Nigerian universities.

“Indeed, it has generated passionate comments and responses from individuals and groups within and outside the nation.

“The controversy centres on the perceived roles played by the University administration in the appointment, and the subsequent seeming endorsement by the ASUU branch at FUTO.

“Consequently, some media commentators — print electronic and social — have impugned that the national body of ASUU was in agreement with the position of ASUU-FUTO Branch on the said appointment.

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. ASUU, as a union, has never supported, promoted or endorsed any illegal appointment or promotion of academics in any Nigerian University, including those of its members.

“As a Union, we have always insisted on strict adherence to due process and the rule of law in all aspects of university administration and governance.”

On the next line of action, Osodeke said the position of ASUU as a union will be made public after the investigating committee completes its assignment and submits a report.

“Thereafter, the position of ASUU-NEC shall be made known to the public.

“In addition, another committee shall visit the ASUU-FUTO branch with a view to determining the role of members in the controversial appointment and report back to NEC for further action,” the ASUU President said.