A senior lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Dr. Philips Nto, has accused the Chairman of the university’s Governing Council, Comrade Fidelis Edeh, of deliberately blocking his promotion to the rank of Professor since 2021.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday, Dr. Nto said his promotion passed through all statutory academic assessment stages, including departmental, college, university appraisal, and the Council’s Appointments and Promotions Committee, with approvals from senior professors and a former Vice-Chancellor.
He explained that although he was on approved leave of absence to serve Abia State as Commissioner for Finance and later as Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, he continued teaching and supervising students in line with the university’s Conditions of Service.
Dr. Nto alleged that despite legal advice supporting his promotion, the Governing Council Chairman has repeatedly delayed its release while approving promotions for other academics.
