JUST IN: ASUU Declares Pantami’s Professorship Illegal

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has declared Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami’s Professorship as illegal.

Gatekeepers News reports that ASUU has faulted the promotion of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, as a Professor, and has threatened to sanction the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) for elevating him to the position.

The union after its National Executive Council meeting at a press conference addressed by the President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, on Monday, declared the promotion as “illegal”.

Osodeke 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.”

In September 2021, the council of FUTO elevated Pantami, alongside seven academics to the position of professorship at its 186th meeting.

Pantami’s elevation has generated controversy, with many faulting FUTO on the promotion of the minister. According to reports, Pantami is currently not teaching in the university and his highest academic attainment was a lecturer before he ventured into politics.

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