Delta university asks pro-chancellor to step aside amid professorship inquiry

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to step aside while it investigates questions surrounding his professorial status. The university announced the decision on Tuesday, three days after a Premium Times investigation examined the basis of his title. In a statement reported by both Premium Times and Punch Nigeria, the institution said the temporary step was consistent with its commitments to academic integrity, transparency and institutional governance.

It said the action was intended to protect the integrity of its governance process and maintain the confidence of students, staff, parents, regulators and the wider public. The university did not say how long the investigation would last. Its statement described the issues as matters to be addressed, investigated and concluded, rather than announcing a final finding on Kila’s status.

Premium Times reported on 3 October that its checks found no evidence a recognised academic institution had awarded Kila the rank of professor. The investigation also examined his use of the designation “Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development” and found no evidence supporting that claim, according to the newspaper. Kila had told Premium Times that the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, which he said was based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, awarded him the professorship in 2016.

The newspaper said searches of UK Companies House, Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission and other publicly available sources produced no evidence that the institution existed. The report also said the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, which administers the European Union’s Jean Monnet programme, did not list Kila as a Jean Monnet project coordinator. Kila has rejected being described as a “fake professor”, insisting that he remains a professor and stands by the credentials supporting his title.

In a response reported on Monday, he said he was prepared to make relevant documents available; Premium Times said he had not publicly produced them. The university’s action followed the removal of Kila’s name, profile and photographs from its website, an earlier development reported by Premium Times and Punch. His profile had appeared alongside those of proprietress Cecilia Ibru and Vice-Chancellor Ibiyinka Fuwape.

The university had previously indicated it would respond after its council considered the matter. Premium Times also reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had formed a team to investigate Kila following the newspaper’s findings. That inquiry will examine both the professorship claim and whether the university benefited from what the report described as a false assertion.

The supplied reports do not state when either investigation will conclude or what documents Kila may submit.