MCIU Asks Anthony Kila to Step Aside Over Questions About Professorial Status

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in Delta State has asked its Pro-Chancellor, Anthony Kila, to temporarily withdraw from his duties while the institution investigates questions surrounding his claim to be a professor.

The university announced the decision on Tuesday after a Premium Times investigation published on October 3 questioned whether Kila had been awarded the academic rank by a recognised institution.

MCIU said it was examining the issues raised and would complete its findings before determining the next steps. It did not provide a timeline for the investigation.

The university said the action was intended to protect confidence in its governance and uphold standards expected of the institution while the matter is being reviewed.

Premium Times reported that it found no evidence that a recognised academic institution had awarded Kila a professorship. The newspaper also questioned his use of the designation linking him to the Jean Monnet programme.

Kila told the newspaper that the European Centre for Advanced and Professional Studies, which he said was based in Cambridge in the United Kingdom, granted him the professorial title in 2016.

Premium Times said searches of publicly available records, including the UK Companies House and Nigeria's Corporate Affairs Commission, did not produce evidence confirming the existence of the institution described by Kila. The publication also reported that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency did not list him as a coordinator under the Jean Monnet programme.

Kila has rejected the newspaper's characterisation of his professorial status and maintains that he is legitimately entitled to the title. He has said he is prepared to provide documents supporting his position, although the source report said those documents had not been made public at the time of publication.

Before announcing the decision for Kila to step aside, MCIU removed his name, photographs and profile from its website. His information had previously appeared alongside profiles of senior university officials.

The university had earlier said its council would consider the matter before issuing a formal response.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has also assembled a team to investigate issues arising from the allegations, including whether the university obtained any benefit connected to Kila's claimed professorial status.

No final finding by MCIU or the ICPC on the matter was reported in the source at the time of publication.