Pantami was made a professor by FUTO, even though he is currently serving as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU (ASUU), has decided to sanction some of its members in Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO) and the Vice-Chancellor of the university for what it considers as “illegal” promotion of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami.
The union made this known through its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke while addressing journalists in Lagos on Monday.
According to ASUU, since Dr Pantami cannot be a minister and a lecturer at the same time, the decision to promote him to the position of a professor can only be described as a promotion of illegality.
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The union went on to suggest that he should be tried for ‘moon lightning’, as he currently has two jobs. It also gave him the option of quitting his job as a minister if he wants to be addressed as a professor.
Prof Osodeke said, “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.
“We have resolved to sanction ASUU members involved in his promotion and the VC of FUTO.”