The management of Federal University, Owerri (FUTO) has filed a lawsuit against Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its rejection of promotion of Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, to the rank of Professor of Cyber Security.
Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday said that it’s illegal for Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, to be promoted to a Professor by the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO).
FUTO’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nnenna Oti made the law suit announcement shortly after ASUU threatened to sanction her and others involved in promotion of Pantami to the rank of a Professor.
Oti refused to comment further after disclosing that the matter is already in court.
A senior management worker informed ‘The nation’ that ASUU has no right to dabble into a matter it has no jurisdiction over.
The staff 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.”
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 its 186th meeting.