The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday described as “illegal” the elevation of minister of communications and digital economy Isa Pantami to professorship.
Speaking at a press conference, ASUU president Prof Emmanuel Osodeke said Pantami cannot serve as a minister and also be regarded as a lecturer.
“You cannot be a minister and a lecturer in a university. It is an encouragement of illegality,” he said.
“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 Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) had in September 2021 elevated Pantami and seven others to the position of professorship.
Pantami’s highest academic qualification before he went into politics remains a source of controversy.
Osodeke, however, said after a two-day meeting of ASUU’s national executive council that ASUU members involved in Pantami’s promotion and the vice-chancellor of FUTO will be sanctioned.
