Law professor defends Pantami professorial status, faults ASUU

A Professor of Industrial and Commercial Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (San), Joe Abugu, has lashed out at the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over its stance on the conferment of professorial status on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

The National Executive Committee of ASUU had set aside the findings by its FUTO chapter which had endorsed the procedure for the conferment of the professorial rank.

In a position paper titled: ‘Of University Autonomy, Meddlesomeness of ASUU and its War Against Prof. Ibrahim Isa Pantami’, Abugu, a lecturer at the University of Lagos, argued that the local chapter of ASUU did an excellent job in reminding the public that FUTO duly advertised the vacant positions in credible national dailies, and when Pantami applied, the relevant bodies vetted his credentials and gave him the appointment on merit.

He argued further that all over the world and in Nigeria as well, there are no strict general rules guiding the procedure for a professorial appointment that all universities in a country must obey, adding that each institution of learning sets its own rules and that the Vice-Chancellor also has certain discretionary powers to use when necessary.

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Quoting relevant laws guiding the operations of trade unions like ASUU and universities like FUTO, the SAN said further that there is even nowhere in the statute books where ASUU is mentioned as an important decision or opinion-making body in the procedure of appointing university professors.

“By section 3 of the Federal Universities of Technology Act 1993, the University shall have power to inter alia institute professorships, readerships or associate professorships, lecture-ships, and other posts and offices and to make appointments thereto; and 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. It can be taken for granted though that through these representatives of Congregation, 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,” he said.

On the issue of whether Pantami was qualified for the appointment while serving as minister, Abugu noted that the argument is watery and based on ignorance.

He, therefore, mentioned other prominent Nigerians including Late Dora Akunyili, Ndidi Okereke-Onyuike, Jerry Gana, Muhammad Ali Pate, etc as having benefited from the same privilege for which he claimed Pantami is now being slaughtered by ASUU.

Stating that Pantami’s professorship rank has been legally and legitimately earned, Abugu said ASUU’s take on the integrity of the procedure has no basis in law, precedent, morality and logic.

He advised ASUU to look for another agenda and stop chasing shadows, adding that there are more fundamental issues affecting education in the country that should bother the union.

Source: 

Vanguard
Law professor defends Pantami professorial status, faults ASUU
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/law-professor-defends-pantami-professorial-status-faults-asuu/amp/

Other Sources:

The Nation
ASUU lacks powers to declare Pantami’s professorial elevation illegal, says Don
https://thenationonlineng.net/asuu-lacks-powers-to-declare-pantamis-professorial-elevation-illegal-says-don/

Telegraph
Pantami earned professorial rank legally, legitimately –Don tells ASUU
https://headlines.ng/pantami-earned-professorial-rank-legally-legitimately-don-tells-asuu/

National Accord
Professor of law faults ASUU, says Pantami’s professorial rank is legal
https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/professor-of-law-faults-asuu-says-pantamis-professorial-rank-is-legal/

The Cable
Professor of law tackles ASUU, says Pantami’s professorial rank legal
https://www.thecable.ng/professor-of-law-tackles-asuu-says-pantamis-professorial-rank-legal/amp

The Nigeria Lawyers
Prof. Abugu, SAN Faults ASUU, Says Pantami’s Professorship Is Legit And Valid
https://thenigerialawyer.com/asuus-allegation-of-bogus-professorship-prof-abugu-san-faults-asuu-says-pantamis-professorship-is-legit-and-valid/

News Direct
Pantami’s Professorial Status Legal – Don Tells ASUU
https://newsdirect.ng/pantamis-professorial-status-legal-don-tells-asuu/

The Street Journal
Law Professor Defends Pantami Professorial Status, Faults ASUU
https://thestreetjournal.org/law-professor-defends-pantami-professorial-status-faults-asuu/

NAIJA Point
Professor of Law faults ASUU, says Pantami’s professorial rank legal
https://naijaonpoint.com.ng/professor-of-law-faults-asuu-says-pantamis-professorial-rank-legal/

Celebrity
Law Professor Challenges ASUU Over Pantami’s Academic Rank, Legality
https://celebritygig.com/law-professor-challenges-asuu-over-pantamis-academic-rank-legality/

CentaPost
Pantami’s professorial rank legal – Don faults ASUU
https://www.centapost.com/pantami-s-professorial-rank-legal-don-faults-asuu-35178.html

Golden News
Pantami’s professorial rank legal – Don finally breaks silence
https://goldennewsng.com/2022/02/19/pantamis-professorial-rank-legal-don-finally-breaks-silence/

Afemai Reporters
Law Professor Defends Pantami Professorial Status, Faults ASUU
https://afemaireporters.com.ng/law-professor-defends-pantami-professorial-status-faults-asuu/