Pantami's Professorship: FUTO, ASUU Begin Tough Legal War

• Isa Pantami is said to be caught in a crossfire between ASUU and FUTO over his professorship conferred on him by the institution
• This is as FUTO has maintained that ASUU has no power to reject or overrule the honour given to Pantami
• FUTO's VC, Nnenna Oti, on Monday, February 14, stated that the school will meet ASUU in court over the issue

The management of the Federal University, Owerri (FUTO) has kicked against the position of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on its decision to promote Isa Pantami to the rank of a professor.

FUTO's argument was relayed to journalists by the vice-chancellor, Nnenna Oti who said the university is ready to face ASUU in court over Pantami's promotion, Daily Nigerian reports.

Also, a management staff who spoke in confidence with newsmen on Monday noted that the union has no right or power to dictate to the school who to promote to the office or the criteria for the promotion.

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The staff made it clear that ASUU does not regulate appointments and promotions across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The source said:

“Just like ASUU does not tell the university council and its Senate who to promote, it cannot tell them the criteria for promoting somebody to rank of professor.

“In law, you cannot withdraw what you don’t have. ASUU does not regulate appointments and promotions.

“Some of these things are derived from NUC guidelines, and every university sets up its standard."

ASUU declares Pantami’s professorship illegal

Recall that the promotion of the minister of communications and digital economy as a professor had been rejected and described as illegal.

This was the position of the ASUU after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Monday, February 14.

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The position of ASUU was made public in a press briefing on Monday by its president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.

Osodeke argued that it was wrong for Pantami to be a minister and a lecturer in a university at the same time.

Added to this, ASUU said it will sanction its members and the vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Owerri (FUTO) who were involved in Pantami's promotion.

Osodeke stated:

“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..."

Source: Legit.ng