Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A senior lecturer in the Department of Agribusiness Management at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Dr. Philips Nto, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in what he described as the deliberate delay of his promotion to the rank of professor.
Dr. Nto alleged that his promotion, which he said has been pending since 2021, is being stalled by the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, despite having satisfied all statutory academic appraisal requirements.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Umuahia on Monday, Dr. Nto, a former Abia State Commissioner for Finance and Provost of Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, expressed concern that his case had remained unresolved at the Governing Council level for several years.
He questioned whether the delay was motivated by personal animosity, alleging that he had been unfairly targeted.
“I do not know if the Pro-Chancellor came to MOUAU with a vendetta against me, but his actions since 2024 suggest that I have been singled out for punishment without justification,” Dr. Nto alleged.
According to him, his promotion application received favourable consideration from all relevant academic bodies before it was allegedly subjected to repeated delays at the council level.
When contacted for comment, Comrade Edeh declined to engage on the matter, describing it as an internal administrative issue.
“I cannot join issues with a staff member over internal administrative matters. There are laid-down processes for addressing such issues,” he said.
Providing background to the matter, Dr. Nto explained that he joined MOUAU in 2007 as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in 2015, before proceeding on a leave of absence to serve in government.
He said that upon his return, he applied for promotion in line with the university’s 2003 Conditions of Service.
However, his application was initially rejected under a new policy, despite the fact that he continued to teach, supervise postgraduate students, and participate in National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation exercises while on leave.
Dr. Nto further questioned why the Pro-Chancellor allegedly approved professorial promotions for other academics, including his juniors, while his own file remained unattended to.
“Council has met more than ten times, yet my promotion has been deliberately obstructed with shifting excuses,” he said, alleging selective approvals and abuse of due process.
He therefore called on the Visitor to the University, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the Minister of Education, to intervene and ensure that his promotion is approved without further delay.
Dr. Nto warned that he would seek legal redress should the matter remain unresolved.
“I cannot wait indefinitely. If this injustice persists, I will be compelled to approach the courts for relief,” he said.
