Professorship Saga: Fani-Kayode Slams ASUU, Alleges Evil Agenda Against Pantami

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticized the resolve of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to probe the circumstances surrounding the elevation of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, to the rank of Professor of Cyber Security by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

The former minister who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reacting to a statement credited to the national body of ASUU on Monday in which it cast a doubt on the eligibility of Pantami to be promoted or appointed Professor.

Months after Pantami was promoted to the rank, the FUTO Chapter of ASUU had conducted an investigation after which it gave a pass mark to Pantami and endorsed the ‘rigorous’ process employed by FUTO in awarding the minster the rank.

The FUTO ASUU also clarified that credible external bodies and individuals were invited to vet the documents submitted by Pantami and they all cleared him of being worthy of the promotion.

Despite these clarifications, online critics led by academics in the Diaspora have called the process fraudulent and sustained pressure on the national body of ASUU to dismiss its FUTO chapter and wade into the matter.

Bowing to pressure, the national body of ASUU on Monday called on Nigerians to ignore the clearance given to FUTO and Pantami by the local ASUU, adding that it has commenced fresh investigations on the matter.

“Having rejected FUTO Committee’s report, (ASUU) NEC set up an independent committee to go to FUTO to investigate fully and get all the data so that we can put it to the public

“… The ASUU President assured Nigerians that the outcome of the probe would be made public,” parts of the statement read.

In a reaction on social media, Fani-Kayode slammed the national body of ASUU for dancing to the tune, and escalating the narrow agenda of people who are only exhibiting baseless hatred against the minister.

The former minister said he has known Pantami enough to be able to vouch for him that he is qualified to be a Professor.

His post read: “What has Isa Pantami done to ASUU? When will the hatred stop? Is it because he is a Muslim? I know Pantami well and he is eminently qualified to be a Professor. Let us be guided by love and not hate. Lies, disinformation, prejudice and religious bigotry have blinded many in our country.”