Pantami’s Professorial Status Legal – Don Tells ASUU

Joe Abugu, a Professor of Industrial and Commercial Law, Joe Abugu, has faulted the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its position on Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami’s professorship.

ASUU National Executive Committee (NEC), last Monday, announced oppositon to the conferment by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Abugu, in a position paper titled ‘University autonomy, meddlesomeness of ASUU and war against Prof Pantami’, warned the body against undue interference.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) recalled that FUTO advertised the vacant positions in credible national dailies.

Abugu said there are no strict general rules guiding the procedure for a professorial designation as each institution of learning sets own rules.

According to him, relevant laws guiding trade unions never mentioned ASUU as a decision maker in professors’ appointment.

“By Section 3 of the Federal Universities of Technology Act 1993, Universities have power to inter alia institute professorships, readerships or associate professorships, lecturerships and other posts, and make appointments thereto.

“By Section 6, the Council shall be the governing body of the University and shall be charged with the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and property of the University.

“It is clear therefore, that ASUU has no power to institute or confer professorship. It is noteworthy that the University Council comprises two representatives of the congregation of teachers. 

“Whilst the Congregation is the body of academics in the University, it is not synonymous with ASUU. ASUU may have a voice in the conferment of Professorships but not ASUU as a Union.

“Can ASUU then have the power to declare a Professorship conferred by an institution illegal? The answer may probably be found in the Rule book or Constitution of ASUU.

“As a registered trade union under the Trade Union Act, its Rule book neither contains any clause conferring powers of certification of academic titles nor the power to declare one, illegal”, Abugu wrote.

Commenting on whether Pantami was qualified for the appointment while serving as minister, he called such argument “watery” and based on ignorance.

He mentioned Ndi Okereke-Onyuike, Ngozi Osarenren, Olakunle Abdul-Rasheed Lawal, Ige Bolodeoku, Musibau Babatunde as prominent citizens who became Professors while in government.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) lecturer added that Pantami’s rank was legitimately earned.

ASUU’s take on the integrity of the procedure has “no basis in law, precedent, morality and logic”, the scholar asserted.