ASUU talks tough on Pantami, rubbishes professorship

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the promotion of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, as a professor, by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.

The union at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, on Monday, declared the promotion as “illegal”.

ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, at a press conference in Lagos faulted the “illegality” that led to the award of professorship to the minister.

READ: Pantami was Chief Imam at mosque where Christian student was murdered in 2004

“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,” Osodeke declared.

In September 2021, Pantami, alongside seven academics were elevated by the council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) to the position of professorship at the council’s 186th meeting.

The minister’s elevation had generated controversy within the academic community, with many faulting FUTO on the promotion.  “We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO,” the ASUU chief added.